Furious residents have hit out at petty vandals for repeatedly trashing a new fence which was supposed to ‘protect their privacy’.
Neighbours in Troon say they are sick of seeing damage to the fence in Ferrier Court, which sits on the border of their flats and a nearby path.
Community leader Frances Carson has told how the number of wooden panels being destroyed is on the rise – with the latest blow seeing 12 battered out of place
Youngsters from Marr College are said to be rebelling against the fence as it gives them a ‘short cut’ to local shops at lunch time.
But Troon Councillor Craig Mackay has hit out at the ‘bizarre’ actions saying the path back to the school is just as quick.
The fence was eventually replaced after the previous ‘new fence’ was torn down and panels were thrown in the nearby burn.
Now it's third time lucky – with the latest ‘robust’ fence being targeted after it was erected in April.
The vandalism trend has seen council officials and even Marr College’s head teacher George Docherty become involved, with pupils being warned to stop targeting the wooden panels.
Fed-up residents are calling for an indestructible metal fence to be placed at the spot.
Frances, who heads up Troon Community Council and Muirhead Tennants & Residents Association told Ayrshire Live: “It just keeps getting worse. One day it was 7 panels, then it was 8, then 9 and now there are 12 panels missing.
“The kids like to get past the fence and cut through it to get to the shops at lunch time quicker.
“But each time one panel has to get replaced it comes at a cost of £800.
“The council is having to constantly fork out money because people don’t care about where they live.
“The residents and have spoken and they want a metal fence to be put there, they won’t be able to break through that, it might not be the prettiest sight but it would solve the problem."
Cllr Mackay says he has been dealing with the section of fence since July last year – but was unable to get a new fence in place until the new financial year in April due to a lack of budget.
The SNP politician who was re-elected earlier this month told Ayrshire Live how the new fence was needed to protect the privacy of residents in nearby flats.
He said: "It is hugely frustrating to see individual boards on this fence now being progressively kicked in.
"I want to recognise the efforts of Marr College Head Teacher George Docherty in trying to tackle this, as well as the council's Community Safety Officer.
"There is no place for petty vandalism, and it is bizarre that this short section of fence has become such a target.
"The fence is Housing property and it is unfair that tenants' rent is having to go towards repairs when there are far more important priorities.
"I have been attempting to deal with this fence since July last year and so far it has had to be completely re-built twice. I would ask that those who are causing the damage think carefully about their actions."
A Council spokesperson said: "Residents asked for a fence to be installed as they were fed up with pupils from the school using the route as a shortcut.
"Our Housing Team met this request and installed a fence but it was vandalised within a matter of weeks. The fence has since been strengthened but it is still being vandalised. The school and campus police have been involved, as have our Anti-Social Behaviour Team. We will continue to work with the police to try to identify those responsible."
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
