A VERY Happy New Year to all of my constituents and the readers of this column and the Post.

I’d like to thank the Post team for the opportunity to connect directly with you via the printed newspaper and online – it’s very important during these very difficult and strange times that we all support each other and our local businesses.

Many local businesses and the community have been hit inordinately by the ongoing pandemic and the impact on their daily lives in terms of their household finances and their physical and mental health, especially around the restrictions that have been introduced or increased and the direct effect that this has had.

But with these very difficult restrictions – on which, incidentally, I as a Labour politician agree with the First Minister – comes a responsibility that should go unwritten but needs to be said sadly.

The Kilpatrick Hills in my ward and the beauty of the walks and runs up to them and the splendour of the views of the Jaw, the Greenside and so on have been enjoyed by many locals and those travelling from (I will be kind) slightly further. Usually they are within the current Covid-19 restrictions on travel for exercise, especially when the snows arrived over the last few weeks.

However, I have been contacted by many constituents on and around Cochno Road who have borne the brunt of some extremely inconsiderate parking or on occasions some frightening and harrowing abuse.

I have visited a number of my constituents over the last few weeks to discuss these issues and witnessed some incredibly inconsiderate and downright dangerous goings-on, including parking in or across driveways, on bends, or right on the corners of the local roads; blocking the one pavement that provides a safe route to and from these hills; and using or parking on the private roads that provide 24-hour access to the local care home, working farms and private houses.

Walking and running provides a great boost to both physical and mental health and I am very much an advocate of that. I am not ashamed to say that since March of last year my own mental health resilience has been, and continues to be, tested, and I’m very thankful for the supportive family, work and volunteer colleagues, and old school pals who have provided a vital reminder that we’re not alone in this struggle to maintain a semblance of order.

But the actions we take whilst helping our own mental health cannot, and must not, impinge on anyone else’s daily routines – especially as roads are becoming jammed and emergency vehicles cannot get through easily. I have looked, and will continue to look, for a WDC-led solution in partnership with residents and others locally.