The owners of a dangerous building in Johnstone town centre have been ordered to carry out urgent repairs.

Last month, The Gazette revealed residents fear someone could be seriously injured unless work was carried out to secure loose slates on the roof of the former Christian Mission Centre in the Millbrae area.

Now Renfrewshire Council has confirmed that a Dangerous Building Notice has been served on the property, with the owners – Howwood-based developers David Ritchie Associates – ordered to remove all loose materials from the roof within seven weeks.

A council spokesman said: “When a dangerous building is identified, the council is legally obliged to take steps to mitigate the risk to public safety.

“Fencing has been erected to protect pedestrians from loose building elements until the building owner can carry out the necessary works.

“Pedestrians are advised to use the traffic lights at the junction with McDowell Street and then Morrisons supermarket to cross safely until appropriate action is taken to bring the building back into a safe condition.”

Alan Harris, treasurer of the Thomson Avenue/Ferguson Street Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, is eager to see repairs carried out as soon as possible.

He said: “The roof really is in a very dangerous state. There are broken slates on the pavement. Someone is liable to be killed, either directly from falling slates or by a car being bombarded, causing a pile-up.”

Lindsay Falla, chairperson of the tenants’ and residents’ association, is concerned that the fence which has been erected to keep pedestrians from walking on the pavement is creating its own dangers.

She said: “I note with dismay that there has been fencing erected on the pavement outside the building, forcing pedestrians on to the road in order to pass.

“It appears that the fence has been erected in order to move pedestrians away from the building, however it does not restrict access to the site as individuals may simply step behind the fencing.

“There is certainly no space for a pram or wheelchair to navigate the area and no safe place to cross the road in order to access Thomson Avenue, having been forced to walk on the other side of High Street.”

Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch councillor Andy Doig is now demanding a meeting with the owners to ask how they intend to make the building safe.

He said: “At the end of August, a constituent sent me worrying pictures regarding the state of the roof at 83 High Street as he had concerns this was a threat to public safety.

“Looking at the pictures, I shared his analysis of events and immediately sent it on to the council officers at Renfrewshire Council who deal with building control, who said they would inspect the building.

“The pavement outside 83 High Street has been fenced off, so I am hoping that repair works are scheduled to take place.

“A number of other constituents, as well as the Ferguson Street/Thomson Avenue Tenants’ and Residents’ Association collectively, are worried about the long-term future of this building.

“I understand that the owners of the building, David Ritchie Limited, are looking to sell but, in the meantime, I am demanding that they come to meet with myself and the tenants’ and residents’ association to inform us as to how they intend to make the building wind and watertight.

“The company is based in Howwood, in my ward, and I feel it has a wider duty of care to the people of Johnstone regarding this site.”

As well as concerns over the danger caused by loose slates, residents fear youths are getting into the building via a broken window at the back and using it as a drinking den.

No-one at David Ritchie Associates responded to The Gazette when asked for a comment.