The site of a renovation designed to improve green space and access to varied landscapes in Barrhead has been trashed by “mindless” vandals who set parts of it alight.
Reckless firebugs have torched matting that was installed to protect new flower beds in Carlibar Park.
The area is undergoing a £2.7 million transformation to convert the previously derelict wasteland into an attractive space for residents to spend time and enhance biodiversity and to “recapture the natural beauty of the river and the surrounding park”.
However, some louts have ruined progress made on the two and a half acre site by starting the fires on two separate occasions in the last month, thus delaying the project and residents’ enjoyment of the newly renovated area.
The Paisley Daily Express understands that fires were started on Tuesday, April 4, and Monday, April 10.
East Renfrewshire Council said that the “massively frustrating” incident will mean more money will have to be spent on the project, which when finished will see riverside paths for walking and cycling installed.
It was due for completion by the end of this summer.
A council spokesperson said: “We were extremely disappointed to see this mindless vandalism in Carlibar Park - more than £2million has been invested by SEPA and Scottish Government on improvements to the river and park areas and now further public money will have to spent on repairs, which will delay its completion.
“The project is aimed at creating a safe, pleasant green space in the heart of Barrhead as well as improving the river for local wildlife, so incidents like this are massively frustrating.
“The vandalism has been reported to Police Scotland.”
Carlibar Primary pupils have also been helping to catalogue the beasties along the river bank but will have fewer now that the damage has been done to the flower beds.
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