WHO OWNS THIS PLAY AREA?

Strewn with glass bottles and litter, the kids' playground at Carrickstone, Cumbernauld, has been described by locals as a 'swing graveyard'.

But, North Lanarkshire Council, and the estate's developers Persimmon, both say they are not responsible for the play park.

Resident Rob Dickson, who lives in Glenbervie Crescent with partner Amanda, daughter Erin (7) and twins Sean and Abbi (2) said: "I have lived here for ten years and it's always been in a bad state of repair.

"Then six years ago someone came out and replaced the swings, but they haven't touched it since, so it's gone back to how it was before. It's a real health and safety nightmare. There is broken glass everywhere and nothing works. We feel nothing is being done.

"There hasn't really been a great problem with youths hanging around, but since it started to deteriorate the only people going there are teenagers. It's not safe for younger kids. I have to take them down to the village or out to Kilsyth to get a play area."

A spokeswoman for Persimmon Homes said: "We have investigated the matter and as far as we are aware Beazer Homes transferred this play area to a factor prior to our acquisition of the company."

Yet Mr Dickson says residents do not pay factor fees, nor has anyone seen a factor come to improve the park.

He added: " Part of the problem is ownership of the park. I spoke to Environmental Services at the Council but the play park has not been handed over to them. What is getting to me is that Persimmon are still building a lot of properties in Cumbernauld, yet they are just leaving this area to rot."

A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: "The council does not have responsibility for the site, it is privately owned." As a goodwill gesture Council employees recently went down to the site and removed some litter and glass.