COUNCILLORS have joined forces from across the political divide to ensure Drumchapel gets an outdoor gym.

Labour’s Paul Carey and the SNP’s Malcolm Balfour both backed a proposal from Drumchapel Community Council to introduce the equipment in Hecla Park.

After negotiations with land and environmental services, the department put up £6,000 and the North West Sector Partnership stumped an extra £20,000.

There is already such a gym in Knightswood Park and one in Partick that were well used and prompted the idea almost a year ago.

Cllr Carey said: “The outdoor gym will help tackle some of the health issues within Drumchapel. I very much expect the one in Drumchapel to be used extensively in the summer months too and also on days the weather is permitting.

“I’d like to thank the community council for this idea and I look forward to the gym being installed within the park. The layout of the gym will be decided by the community council and I very much hope the project can move forward quite quickly .

“Once again this has been cross party support between myself and Bailie Balfour and we both agree and intend to work together very closely in the future for the benefit of the community within ward 14.”

Bailie Balfour told the Post the project was a good example of politicians working together, regardless of policy differences.

He said: “It’s an excellent idea. It will be to the benefit of the public – many people can’t afford gym memberships. So this will be tremendous to the people of Drumchapel and surrounding areas.

“It’s something both Cllr Carey and I agreed on. It’s going to be brilliant when in place and I believe it will be well used.

“It’s great to work on this with Cllr Carey – there are issues we can work on together. We have known each other for a long time and it’s good we have a working relationship together.”

Will Thomson, Drumchapel community councillor, thanked the politicians for pushing the idea through during their summer recess.

He said: “Our chair has been pushing for this since they first saw it in Govan. We welcome the funding from both council organisations.”