A CAMPAIGNING councillor has declared “victory for the people” in a fight to make sure gates at a village park are restored to their former glory.

The entrance to Kilbarchan Park has been left locked since May last year, when a Renfrewshire Council truck smashed into a stone pillar.

Repairs have yet to be carried out, with Councillor Andy Doig repeatedly calling on the local authority to take action.

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And progress has now been made after the Independent elected member put forward a motion at last week’s full council meeting to highlight the problem once again.

Cllr Doig’s motion, which was passed, gives the council until the end of May to have the gates repaired.

Repairs will also be made at Barshaw Park, in Paisley, and Thomas Shanks Park, in Johnstone, following the decision.

“I thought it was shocking that, over the last year and a half, the main entrance to Kilbarchan Park has been locked due to the length of time it had taken for the council to repair it,” said Cllr Doig.

“Whilst I am delighted that the pleas of the residents of Kilbarchan were listened to, frankly it should not have taken a council motion to get this repaired, as it was one of their own workmen who damaged the gate.

“Why could the vehicle insurance have not paid for the damage to the gate months ago? That is what would happen if a private driver had collided with the gate.”

The issue has been a bone of contention in the village for some time now and has previously been raised at a meeting of Kilbarchan Community Council.

Cllr Doig added: “This is not just a victory for people power but also a victory for common sense.

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“The lesson is that the council cannot evade its responsibility to communities simply because they own facilities which they may have also damaged by accident.”

Cllr Doig’s motion was backed by Liberal Democrat councillor Eileen McCartin, who represents Paisley Southwest.

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “A structural engineer has assessed the damage and contractors will be appointed to carry out the repair work to the gates, which will be scheduled to be completed in early spring 2019.”