Old school is a booze den
THIS Danger Keep Out sign must be the most useless in Cumbernauld.
For youths have been able to walk right into the playground at the derelict Cumbernauld Primary School and enter the rear building at two key points.
With the main Glasgow Road entry completely unblocked, all boozed up yobs had to do was remove wooden boards which had been secured by just two nails, before making themselves at home.
Grilles attached to windows and doors have been left lying on the ground which is encrusted in broken Buckfast bottles and dog mess.
Gaps in an iron fence to the rear of the building allow vandals to walk straight through.
The thoughtless actions of a boozed-up minority have cast a dark shadow of the partially listed building, in what is one of Cumbernauld's few Conservation Areas.
Councillor Tom Johnston last week invited the News to survey the shocking scale of the damage.
These pictures will be a source of pain to ex-pupils of the school which controversially shut several years ago, after children were transferred to the new shared campus on Eastfield Road.
Comfort is obviously at a premium for the thugs in their newly commandeered drinking den because they were at pains to drag mattresses into the building. They are even availing themselves of en suite toilet facilities thanks to the fact that the children's toilet block remains, albeit in a smashed-up state and disconnected from the plumbing system.
Walls still bearing the last pieces of colourful friezes have been spray painted, in one case with the word 'welcome.'
Councillor Johnston said: "Vandals have full and free access, unseen, into the building. They simply have to stroll into the rooms. Its neglected condition makes it a potential crime scene.''
The school is awaiting demolition amidst controversial plans to bring a children's unit to the village - but in the meantime, Councillor Johnston is asking North Lanarkshire Council to make the building safe.
He has also brought the situation to the attention of the police.
"I am requesting that doors be made lockfast without delay and the boarding replaced on the windows. And I would also request that a gate be placed on Glasgow Road to prevent this easy, open access,'' he said.
Councillor Johnston has also written to the police and fire services about the considerable risks posed by the property in its present state.
Cumbernauld Village Community Council chairman Chic Archibald said: "It is an absolutely shocking state of affairs.''
NLC told the News the matter was now being dealt with. Corporate services group manager Eric Hislop said: "With the exception of the listed section, this property is to be demolished in early December.
And work will begin this week to deal with any urgent health and safety issues due to vandalism.
"The council did secure the premises when the school was closed and has tried to keep the building secure since that date. It is unfortunate that this has been unsuccessful and steps have been taken to secure the premises again. As a part of the demolition process, the security of the part remaining will be reconsidered."
"In relation to anti-social behaviour we contacted Strathclyde Police who were unaware of any issues surrounding the school; however, they will monitor the area and take what action is necessary. And we will continue to liaise with the police on security matters."
clare.grant@jnscotland.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Cumbernauld
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
