Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter | News

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Tuesday, 4th November, 2008 10:15

15 worst areas to live

By Ewan McInnes

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Councillor Craig McLaughlin tabled the motion

A CHART of the area's 15 most rundown communities has been compiled.

Eight of the areas within Dumbarton and the Vale including Central Alexandria, Jamestown, Brucehill, Dalmonach and Westcliff.

And Haldane and Castlehill, were also described as suffering from “horrendous” anti-social behaviour and poor housing.

The list — part of a masterplan for regeneration — also put the areas in an order of priority need of attention, with Bellsmyre the highest entry at number three.

Councillor Geoff Calvert

The report was tabled at a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council on Wednesday (October 29) where there was a debate over the merits of the order of the list between councillors Craig McLaughlin of SNP and Geoff Calvert of Labour.

McLaughin put forward a two-page motion to add to the official report, which he said would give communities a bigger say on regeneration.

Councillor McLaughlin, who is convenor of Corporate Services, said: “[Central] Alexandria [which is number four on the list] has a number of problems affecting it, for example, the medical centre moving to the hospital.

“[But] the people in Alexandria are ready to go [with regeneration] now."

An amendment put forward by Councillor Calvert was defeated.

Calvert felt that going with McLaughlin’s motion would mean a six months delay in the urgent regeneration process.

He said: “We have to be very careful if we are going to change the pecking order.”

Activists living in Haldane and Castlehill Activists reacted positively to the outcome of the meeting.

Ex-councillor Margaret McGregor, who lives in Haldane, said: “There is still a lot to be done but we will do it and there is still a great need for Haldane to carry on with regeneration.”

Liz Ruine, of the Castlehill and Westcliff Action Group, added: “We are desperate to get started on plans for regeneration and we plan to get out there and speak to the people of Castlehill and eventually get new houses built."

For the full story see this week's Reporter

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