EFFORTS to keep Clydebank free of litter continued with the latest clean up of a play park and canal.

Volunteers from the Linnvale Community Group Greenspace Team tackled a rubbish-strewn section of the waterway between Trafalgar Street pedestrian bridge and Dalmuir drop lock on Sunday, June 6.

The socially-distanced gathering was the latest in an ongoing series of clean-up events aimed at smartening up Linnvale and the surrounding area.

Using a grappling iron, the team managed to retrieve the majority of the rubbish at the drop lock.

However, there is a large patch of litter-contaminated weed towards Trafalgar Street pedestrian bridge, and volunteers were only able to retrieve rubbish from mid-channel into the towpath side of the canal.

The stack of litter bags will be uplifted and disposed of by Scottish Canals.

Stuart Gray, who co-ordinated the efforts, told the Post: “This completes our canal deep clean from Duntreath Avenue to Dalmuir drop lock but we will do regular quick litter picks to keep on top of the ongoing canal litter problem on this section.

“Some of us will also start canal cleaning east of Duntreath Avenue along the Blairdardie section.”

Meanwhile, local campaigner Craig Edward cleaned up the play park in Cornock Street, Radnor Park on May 30.

He felt compelled to act after seeing a post on Facebook showing the facility and surrounding area covered in litter.

Litter pick in hand, Craig cleared the area and collected two black bags full of rubbish.

He said: “It was such a mess. Smashed glass bottles, cigarette packets, takeaway containers, used face masks and general litter could be found everywhere.

“I don’t know who was responsible for this mess but I would urge them to stop it now. This is a play park for small children and they deserve to play in a safe and clean area.

“The council and police must work closely with the community and do more to try and tackle the anti-social aspect of this issue. It wasn’t just a couple of crisp packets on the ground.”

Craig added: “There was a glimmer of hope, however, that the next generation are learning to keep the area clean.

“I was picking up the litter and a little girl came over to me and asked me if she could help. She had a bundle of wrappers in her hand that she had picked up and put in my bin bag.

“This was heart-warming to see but it shouldn’t be this way.”