A CLYDEBANK resident has slammed West Dunbartonshire Council over their maintenance of a property beside his home.

Gerard Kane, who lives with his wife on Richmond Street, feels the local authority has "abandoned" the site.

The building and its yard have been left empty since March 2015, when Adapt LTD, a government scheme, fell through.

Weeds and plants are overgrown outside the building beside the 77-year-old's property.

(Image: Colin Mearns) He has also expressed concerns about the maintenance of the pavements in the street.

We previously reported on Gerard's frustrations with the site in 2019, in which he described the organisation's failure to keep the site tidy as an "utter disgrace".

Gerard insists the last time the site was cleared was in 2021 and that since then the building has been left to become an "eyesore" despite his repeated attempts to make the local authority aware of the issue. 

"The building is in a right state and it is not the sort of thing anyone would like to be living beside," he said.

"Recently, steel doors were put on it which stopped people breaking in and running about, so that was a start.

(Image: Colin Mearns) "However, the mess remains outside of it. The last time everything was cut back was in 2021.

"Over the last three years, it has deteriorated again.

"I have contacted the council many times during this period but it has not led anywhere."

A wire from the gutter of the council property is also hanging into the front of Gerard's property and he hopes the council will ultimately knock down the building, insisting it would make the whole process a lot easier.

(Image: Colin Mearns) He feels the site currently looks as bad as it has at any point during the almost 40 years he has lived in Richmond Street.

"The whole thing is a complete mess and makes the street look bad," he continued.

"The pavements are one of the many examples of things being abandoned, with weeds growing out of the path.

"Council staff used to come along and spray weed killer which did keep things under control but that has stopped recently.

"I have lived here for 38 years and this is the worst it has ever been.

"If I did want to sell my house, for example, this would really affect it."

Gerard was last in contact with the council three weeks ago about getting the site tidied up, however, the problem is yet to be resolved.

"Back on Friday, July 5, I was told the job had been costed by a contractor and then approved by the council," he continued.

"However, nothing has changed and I gave up after that."

A spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Council said: "We are aware of Mr Kane's concerns and will be carrying out works to cut back and clear vegetation at this property.

"We will continue to liaise with Mr Kane until this is complete."