ANGRY West Kilbride residents have slammed the Glen as an ‘overgrown mess’ and say the final nail is being put in the village’s maintained green spaces.

Discussions have been held between North Ayrshire Council, West Kilbride Community Council and the town’s environmental group as to the maintenance of the Glen.

The council is currently taking a 'relaxed approach' to grass-cutting in the area but are keeping footpaths clear for walkers.

However, resident Elizabeth McLardy says areas of the Glen, including the Beechgrove Marsh Garden, have fallen into complete disrepair.

She said: “North Ayrshire Council should hang their head in shame for allowing this beautiful Glen to deteriorate into the overgrown mess that it is in today.

“Beechgrove Marsh Garden has been decimated by a fallen tree that is still lying across the decking and the vegetation all around is greatly overgrown.

“I wonder what Jim McCall and Carol Baxter from Beechgrove would think if they saw the sad state it lies in today?”

Elizabeth says that the council and the village’s community council have not prioritised the upkeep of the area and have allowed it to become neglected.

She said: “It would appear West Kilbride Community Council are putting the last nail in the coffin of our maintained community green spaces.

“Other communities have community councils that fight for better facilities and highlight areas of neglect that require attention from the council.

“I, like many others in West Kilbride, am disgusted at what the neglect."

Marguerite Adam, 79, who has lived in the village for almost 60 years, says the former beauty spot has become a hazard and an inconvenience for walkers.

She said: “For some years now what was a beautiful and well-kept facility for all residents of West Kilbride to enjoy has now become what amounts to a disaster.

“The two fields are overgrown, the hedges are a disgrace and the so-called environmentalists don’t have a clue. It is overrun by brambles, Japanese Knotweed, thistles, stinging nettles and heaven knows what else.

“The much-trumpeted fruit trees near the railway line are impassable with brambles and the bottom field is practically inaccessible except for the narrowest of paths.”

She added: “The bottom path has been wrecked by vehicles, the top path is a quagmire in places and the once beautiful garden at the other end would make the founders weep.

“It is time someone who actually knows what they are doing took over the Glen. Perhaps the council could make a start by cutting the grass and hedges once the nesting season is over.”

The community council has defended its decision to encourage the area to remain uncut and says changes to the glen will develop over several years.

Secretary Kay Hall said: “This area of land has been left at the request of local environmentalists who are keen to promote and encourage wildlife.

“We are aware that such developments take time and effort and changes like this can take a number of years to come to fruition but should be given every chance.

“We believe the main objection was access to the Glen and after contact with the council a series of link pathways have now been mown to complement those made by walkers.

“The untidiness commented on will change as a wilder landscape develops, one only has to look at unmanaged nearby fields to see the potential. With management, cutting and planting the extension could be really dramatic.

“There are many challenges for this planet and anything that may be done to support our wildlife deserves our support and encouragement.”

Ms Hall is also the chairperson of the West Kilbride Environmental Group, and she says the criticism of the group is unfair.

She said: “The environmental group negotiated an agreement with the council that the hedges should not be cut from March to October because of nesting birds. This is usual practice.

“I think I should also say that the Glen is a lovely balance of natural and managed and the criticisms seem very unfair.

“I'd also like to praise Streetscene as they are always supportive and have provided a lot of help over the years.

“The tragedy is that there is a recession which now has been amplified by a pandemic. Nothing will ever be the same again and communities will have to do more for themselves.”

Ms Hall says that the original designer of Beechgrove Marsh Garden has arranged for a tidy up of the area, with the aim to make the garden more sustainable in the future.

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “Grass at West Kilbride Glen was cut last week as part of the relaxed grass-cutting service introduced last year at this location.

“This includes cutting desire lines around the Glen extension area for dog walkers and residents to enjoy the open space while allowing wildflowers, grass and natural habitats to flourish and to encourage biodiversity.”