Scottish Water has been lambasted for failing to install bins at a Renfrewshire beauty spot as a Buddie launches his own one-man clean-up operation.
Paul Richardson, from Foxbar, says he was “almost in tears” when he saw thousands of empty beer cans and bottles strewn in woodland trails around Stanley Castle Reservoir, off Gleniffer Road.
The 44 year old was so disgusted with the rubbish that he has started to clear it himself.
He has, with the support of son Ryan, so far cleared more than 90 bags of rubbish.
Paul, who recently launched his own kayaking company, first went to the reservoir to see if it would lend itself to the outdoor hobby.
He told the Express: “I am a very hard man with a heart of stone and I nearly cried when I saw the state of the place. That is why I contacted Renfrewshire Council and Scottish Water and asked if I could come up here and start to clear it myself.
“The council informed me that they can’t give me bins because it is Scottish Water land and they can’t put structures on it.
“I spoke to Scottish Water who said this area was scheduled to be cleared next month but some of this rubbish has obviously been here for years.
“They also told me they have no plans to install bins.”
Paul has bagged and disposed of the vast majority of the rubbish in back-breaking work over the past two weeks.
His efforts have also inspired other people who visit the site - popular with joggers and dog walkers - to fill a few bags as they undertake their daily exercise during lockdown.
“I have tied bin bags to the signs at the reservoir and people are using them already,” Paul said. “A man who walks his dog Graham has helped out too.”
He added: “I understand it is the people who leave the rubbish there who are responsible but, as landowners, Scottish Water has a responsibility to do something about this situation.
“I am passionate about the environment. Aside from the eyesore the rubbish creates, there is the environmental issue for wildlife.
“There are nesting geese here and other wildlife, so Scottish Water should, at the very least, be installing bins for people to dispose of their rubbish properly.”
Paul, who recently launched Ryan’s Rocky Cut Adventures, is also hoping in the long term to host some kayaking events on the reservoir to showcase the beauty of the area and encourage a collective responsibility for its maintenance with locals.
The scheme will, if approved, be aimed at encouraging people to appreciate the landscape and treat it with respect.
A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: “We are aware of the litter issue at Stanley Castle Reservoir and will do all we can to help rectify the situation.
“We ask that people are respectful of the environment and urge members of the public to take any litter home with them.”
