Rattray residents have hit out at Perth and Kinross Council over what they say is the neglect of several areas in the town.
Concerns have been raised about long grass being left to grow on the Common, the amount of weeds growing through paving slabs and paths in and around people’s homes, and broken steps and slabs – which residents say are an accident waiting to happen.
A number of residents attended the most recent meeting of Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council (BRCC), held on July 14, to raise the issues and have also contacted the local authority.
Rattray resident Jacqui Duncan said last week: “I have contacted PKC through social media about the state of Rattray. It’s an absolute disgrace.
“One of the ladies who stays in one of the cottages can’t get out of her door on the Common as the grass leading up to the houses hasn’t been cut.
“People are mowing the grass themselves just to get out of their houses.
“Children and dogs are coming home with ticks, which can result in Lyme Disease. There’s ragwort all over the Common too.
“There is broken glass from beer bottles that have been thrown in the long grass and kids are getting punctures in their bike tyres. The long grass is full of dog poo because you can’t see to pick it up.
“We’re also worried about the risk of fire – what if there’s another heatwave like we had recently? We saw what happened in London when people’s homes were destroyed by fires on ground around them.
“ Blairgowrie and Rattray is a rural area, there is plenty of biodiversity around us, why is a residential area and a play area for children being left like this?
“Lots of us have lovely gardens and grow our own fruit but this is just embarrassing. You go to Angus or Crieff and see how beautifully kept they are.”
Jacqui went on: “It’s not just the grass, there are trees and bushes overhanging the paths and grass growing through the paving slabs.
“There are weeds growing in the gutters, tree roots lifting paths and trees and bushes growing over people’s windows so they can’t see out and are terrified every time the wind picks up that the trees are going to come down.
“There are broken steps and paving slabs that people could fall on and hurt themselves. It’s been reported so many times by folk and never gets fixed. It’s just neglect.”
Scott MacGregor from BRCC met with residents at Rattray Common last week and the community council has written to the local authority about the issues.
He said: “We have been round Rattray with council officers, pointing out various issues.
“It really should not have got to this point.”
Blairgowrie and Glens ward SNP councillor, Tom McEwan, said he shared the community’s concerns about how the ‘long grass’ looks in Rattray and other areas in the ward.
Conservative ward councillor Caroline Shiers added: “I have been contacted by a number of residents and heard the views expressed by those at the community council.
“I am concerned that what seems to be a combination of problems with the grounds maintenance schedule and staffing has led to, frankly, a mess in some areas around the town.
“The Managed for Wildlife scheme is laudable and important but many of the areas residents are unhappy with are not in that scheme.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “This summer we are trialling new ways of managing some of our green spaces, including Rattray Common, to improve biodiversity and tackle climate change.
“These areas have been chosen to help attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators by letting grass grow and native plants grow and flower.
“All amenity grass areas including path edges, margins of pavements and sight lines on road verges will be mown but naturalised area such as Rattray Common, will not be mown.
“We are aware of some residents’ concerns about the trials in this area, and we are in discussion with elected members about addressing some particular issues.
“However it is important to note that lots of residents are supportive of the council’s approach to biodiversity and we are running a consultation on these Managed for Wildlife trials and would urge all members of the community to let us know their views by visiting www.pkc.gov.uk/wildlife. Residents can request repairs using MyPKC online.
“We all have a duty to care for the environment and we would remind people littering is an offence and they should always clean up after their dogs.”
