Community Clean Up – Oban Lane part 1

On Saturday 24th March a few members of the North Kelvin Community Council gathered on Queen Margaret Drive at the opening to Oban Lane, not sure what to expect. We were greeted by Carol of Glasgow Community & Safety Services who had brought along plenty of rubbish bags, litter pickers, gloves and needle disposal boxes.

It was the first time weʼd organised a community clean up, and we werenʼt sure how many people would come. It was a beautiful afternoon, which we hoped would help! Gradually the crowd increased as we were joined by local residents. In the end a  magnificent 27 people turned out, all willing to help.

Weʼd been approached by George, a local resident, some months before when heʼd let us know how bad the dumping and rubbish had become, and asked if there was anything we could do to help. Because the lane is a private lane, the Council wonʼt take responsibility for the clearing and maintenance of it, and so it had become a real mess. As a Community Council we were keen to do something active about the problem, and felt that a Community Clean Up would be just the thing.

Oban Lane runs down the hill between Fergus and Oban Drives, and into Queen Margaret Drive. Itʼs split in the middle, so you can only access the bottom bit from Queen Margaret Drive, and the top bit from half way up Oban Drive. On the day we focused on the bottom bit of the lane. We picked up litter, cut back overgrown brambles and bushes, felled nettles, and cleared all the rubbish that had been dumped in the lane over the years – old Christmas trees, bricks, bits of wood, and assorted bits of machinery. You can see from the photos below the state of the lane before we started – and how much rubbish we cleared!

With 27 willing pairs of hands we managed to clear the whole bottom end of the lane in 2 hours, and left all the rubbish for collection by Glasgow City Council.

With just a short break for welcome refreshments on such a warm day we really appreciated all that help, and itʼs great to know that people in the local community do care. We are going to tackle the top of the lane next (the bit that is accessed from Oban Drive).

Weʼve also decided to invite a representative from Glasgow City Council along to one of our monthly meetings, to explain to us about the ownership of the lanes in the North Kelvin area, and help us to understand how they can be better maintained. Look out for the posters on lamp-posts and in local shops where weʼll advertise the meeting, as you can come along if youʼre interested.

Thanks to George for starting the whole process, Carol for bringing along everything that we needed to clean up the lane safely, the North Kelvin Meadow campaign for donating shears, loppers and a wheelbarrow, Glasgow City Council for collecting all the rubbish that we cleared, and to the 27 people who volunteered their afternoons – we couldnʼt have done it without you!