THE condition of the main visitors car park to the Dams To Darnley in Barrhead has been slammed by locals.

Residents say it is riddled with potholes which become flooded when it rains and is dangerous to drive on.

The car park, which is situated at Balgray Reservoir on Balgraystone Road, close to St Luke’s High School, is used by thousands of visitors every year.

Care worker Katharine McShane, 54, has been living in the town for the last 26 years and has been taking her dogs to the park for more than a decade.

She has described the present state of the car park as a total disgrace.

Katharine, who is married with a daughter, added: “It has become a real eyesore in what is supposed to be a beauty spot.

“There are so many potholes and it is more like an obstacle course than a car park.

“There is a risk of damage to cars driving over the potholes, particularly when they are filled with water.

“It is also dangerous getting in and out of your car and you really need to wear wellingtons to keep your feet dry.”

The Dams to Darnley Country Park is managed by both East Renfrewshire Council and Glasgow City Council.

The beauty spot sits between Barrhead, Darnley and Newton Mearns, and is made up of a woodland, grassland, open water and farmland.

Katharine has written to East Renfrewshire Council in a bid to have the car park resurfaced and the potholes removed.

She added: “The authorities really need to get their act together.

“The dogs also get soaked when they jump out of the cars and are usually covered in mud by the time they get to the country park.

“I take them most days of the week and it is a real hassle having to negotiate the car park every time.

“The Dams To Darnley is supposed to be a major visitor and tourist attraction but the car park is not fit for purpose.”

People using the beauty spot can also leave their cars on Corselet Road in Darnley and Patterton Railway Station overflow car park in Newton Mearns.

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “The car park has been used recently by Network Rail as a compound and to access the overbridge between Aurs Road and Balgraystone Road, while they carried out essential work required to replace the bridge. 

“We’re currently finalising designs for a series of path and visitor infrastructure improvements beside Balgray Reservoir and these include upgrading the car park surface and new drainage.”