A WHITECROOK resident is demanding answers after a newly completed path has remained unopened for public use.

The new public path from Centre81 to the pedestrian route along the canal was built to encourage more use by Bankies.

However, one resident claims that the path was finished in early March but still remains closed for the public over six weeks later.

She told the Post: “The fences still remain up and now hasn’t been touched for six weeks. All the tools and equipment are gone and no-one has been back to remove the fencing and officially open it up.

“It is a shame because this path is needed for elderly residents in Whitecrook. Instead we are left to sit still and just admire it. What is the point in that?

“It would cut my journey time to the Clyde Shopping Centre by 15 minutes as I struggle to get about. There has been no explanation why it isn’t opened yet. It makes me angry that we have been left in the dark about what is happening and I want to know why.”

Clydebank Housing Association (CHA), who are behind the project, expected to have the path ready for May 2020, but Covid restrictions halted work.

The project cost around £340,000 with 50 per cent funded by transport organisation Sustrans.

The current link from the canal path is down West Street, onto Brown Avenue and then Braes Avenue for Centre81.

The new path is behind the community facility to the path behind it.

A CHA spokesperson said: “We are delighted to report that work on the canal path at Centre 81, is in the final stages of completion.

“During the final stages of works, we identified the need to install a retaining wall near the path to ensure the safety of the cyclists and users and the contractors were on site from May 24 to have this installed. The fencing around the site will remain in place until all works are completed and Practical Completion has been certified.”