AN Ellon man has accused Aberdeenshire Council of shirking its maintenance responsibilities, after pointing out the neglected state of many of the town's favourite walkways.
Norman Fraser, who lives in Dunottar Road, is an active member of Ellon Civic Pride and alleges that the situation on the bank of the River Ythan, and along the Railway Walk, is getting worse year by year.
"The state of our grassy areas is a
disgr
ace," he told the Times.
"We have a website which tells people to visit Ellon.
''However, if these places are anything to go by, we would be as well tell them not to bother. I couldn't take a visitor down by the Ythan the way it is without being deeply embarrassed."
Mr Fraser, who voluntarily cuts the grass along the banks of the Ythan, aims to draw the public's attention to the
compounding flood damage done to the gravel paths which have been rendered virtually impassable by repeated spates.
He also pointed out that council grasscutters have left piles of grass and tree cuttings in piles which are neither attractive nor safe.
"It seems to be getting worse every year," he told the Times. "Every year, the gravel paths are washed away and replaced with new gravel.
''What we really need are tar or concrete paths. At the moment, there's no way that a cyclist or a buggy could get along some of those walkways.
''On top of this, it seems that the maintenance work the council does do is decidedly half-hearted, with piles of grass and tree limbs left behind and no effort whatsoever being made to clear up the storm debris left in nearby trees and bushes."
Mr Fraser saves his most scathing criticisms for the railway line, however, which he claims is not only dirty and overgrown but dangerous
"I have an acquaintance who went cycling along the old railway line just recently, who fell off her bike and injured herself quite badly on the poorly kept path. How can we claim this is a cycle path when it's so patently unsafe?"
Mr Fraser's observations come in the wake of an official complaint made last week by Belhelvie Community Council, who pointed out that grass cutting and open space maintenance in Balmedie was also being neglected.
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: "Grass cutting is programmed into our work schedule for all of the areas we maintain but we don't collect cuttings unless there is an exceptional need, as this is not a spending priority for the council.
"The footpaths adjacent to the river Ythan are regularly affected by water damage when the river bursts its banks during times of flood.
''Ongoing repairs are dealt with as and when necessary and as budget allocation allows."
