Town centre 'disaster zone'

Published 8 Jul 2010 09:53 0 Comments

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ANGRY residents are hitting out as their derelict town centre becomes an increasingly hazardous 'disaster zone'.

Linwood locals say that the broken glass, the live power supply in disused flats, the broken security gates, the ripped-out telephone wires and broken metal railings are turning the centre into more and more of a public hazard.

Residents had high hopes when Tesco agreed to take a controlling interest in the town's central precinct back in early 2007.

The supermarket giant plans to develop the run-down area into a Tesco town complete with independent shops and community facilities.

However, delays to the project after the discovery of a crypt last summer has left the town centre increasingly subject to vandalism and to hazardous decay.

Local resident Tom Burke blasted: "Ownership seems to have become the long term excuse for lack of action in this shopping centre area.

"Now it is not simply an eyesore - but rather is an increasingly hazardous public area.

"All of this would not be such an issue if the site was truly disused and derelict as it must appear to an outsider.

"However various essential local services including a chemist, opticians and health centre are all still drawing a daily flow of pedestrian traffic, many of whom will either be elderly, infirm or with young children or babies.

"This is a totally unnecessary risk to public safety."

Some of the hazards he listed were double glazed window units and broken glass hanging dangerously above a public walkway, an abandoned collapsed wall next to the health centre, bricks being used as missiles to smash windows, and telephone wires ripped down and suspended in random locations.

Metal railings have been stolen from a high level footway, leaving an exposed drop and sharp, rusty stumps.

And lighting fixtures have been ripped from the overhead canopies, bringing metal wiring conduits down and exposing live wiring and electrical connections.

He added: "I am a qualified electrician and I can quite confidently state that the current hazards would not be permitted on a building site - never mind a public place attracting regular visitors."

A Tesco spokesperson said: "We are currently working with our contractors and the council to ensure that the site is safe and secure. Our contractors will be onsite this week to resolve any outstanding issues."

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson added: "The council is already taking a range of actions to address security and safety issues at the houses around the shopping centre. Those actions include securing all vandalised shutters, clearing away loose glass and debris, and resecuring access gates to try to prevent access to boarded up homes. Arrangements are also in hand to make sure any remaining power sources are disconnected. We have also had discussions with Tesco who are responsible for the maintenance of the shopping centre.

"The company is organising the removal of the collapsed wall. In addition, council staff will be checking the area around the shopping centre regularly to see it is secure."

This article appeared in The Gazette 07 Jul 10

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