ANGER has arisen among residents of Barnhill Road in Milton following the distribution of a survey from West Dunbartonshire Council regarding a 'No Ball Games' sign.

WDC issued the survey to residents on Wednesday, August 30, giving them the opportunity to vote on whether to install 'no ball games' signs around the street however locals say this will leave children with few places to play.

A resident of Barnhill Road said: "I have older kids who used to play out here and it does not bother me now that others do. There are normally about five or six kids out on the street at any time and there are not a lot of other areas for them to go. As long as no one touches my car they can play wherever they want."

Resident Marissa Gordon, said: "I really would not be happy with a 'no ball games' sign. I'm actually not aware of anyone who would want that, I definitely don't mind kids playing in the street at all it's a lot safer."

The nearest greenspace to Barnhill Road is on Silverton avenue, a 17 minute walk away and the other alternative play area is at Dumbarton East which is 20 minutes on foot and requires walking along the busy A82 road.

Resident Stuart Wallace who has three children who play on Barnhill road said: "One of my kids is out all the time. I'm not overly fond of him running about looking for other places to play as there are traffic issues on Barnhill road with parking, visibility and speed.

"WDC shouldn't be restricting anything until they have an alternative in place and ready for use."

Another resident told the Reporter: "It's always nice to see the kids playing outside. One minute we're complaining that kids are spending too much time inside on the computer, the next we're putting up 'no ball games' signs, it isn't very fair."

A WDC spokesman said: "Following requests for No Ball Games signs to be erected in the Barnhill Road area, we have contacted residents to seek their views. Feedback received from the wider community will be considered when making any decision on signage."

A former resident of Barnhill Road, Alan Paton, who still lives nearby and has two young children told the Reporter: "It's unbelievable. Barnhill has nothing for the kids to do. Half of the playing field's grass is no longer cut and the only area kids can play with a ball has no streetlights.

"How can Silverton have two parks within a five minute walk of each other and Barnhill has nothing?"

When asked what he would like to see done to improve the area, Mr Paton said a new playpark should be installed.

He said: "Residents want the fields next to Hunter Avenue and below Barnhill Road to be turned into a play area. Currently the field is too marshy to be used by the kids."