Calls for better security along an Angus underpass which has been branded a “no-go zone for women” have fallen on deaf ears.
Fears over the safety of the Robert Street underpass in Arbroath were heightened following an investigation by litter crusaders, who claimed the walkway is now “a magnet for all kinds of criminal activity”.
A video nasty by Ralph Coutts from Angus Clean Environments (ACE) laid bare the grim state of the underpass and prompted action to be taken by the local authority to clean it up.
Ralph’s video showing the underpass is above this article
Mr Coutts said the underpass was left in a disgusting state and called for better lighting and CCTV to make it “fit for purpose”.
Angus Council said a clean-up schedule will be put in place but ruled out installing CCTV.
Mr Coutts said: “The council never took control of the underpass as they may have thought it was the railway’s responsibility.
“That view has now changed as a result of my video and will be cleaned out regularly.
“I was horrified when I visited the site recently. The smell of old food, urine and other unmentionables was disgusting.
“I feel in light of events that have happened here in the past it is imperative to make the use of this underpass safe for woman and vulnerable people.
“Better lighting, CCTV, a mural and cleaning would make this fit for purpose, making it a credit to Arbroath, not the midden that it currently is. The people of Arbroath deserve better.
“It would also be a great improvement for visitors moving around the town during our 2020 celebrations.”
Wendy Murray from ACE said it was extremely concerning “that such places exist in the county”.
She demanded extra security measures be put in place immediately and said it was “not acceptable in 2020 Angus to have places which are no go areas for women to walk in the middle of the day”.
She said: “The underpass in Robert Street is an example of how dirty, littered environments can become a magnet for all kinds of criminal activity and make communities unsafe.
“Environmental quality continues to decline right across Scotland and it is extremely concerning that areas like this exist in Angus.”
She urged Angus Council to review whether any interventions such as CCTV monitoring or enhanced cleaning regimes might assist in improving general safety in the area.
A spokesman for Angus Council said: “We recently carried out a clean-up at the underpass and a regular inspection and clean-up schedule is now in place.
“There are currently no plans to install CCTV at the underpass.”
Police Scotland said it was not aware of any increase in calls to the Robert Street area.
