AN Ardrossan resident has hit out at the state of a local burn and says more has to be done to sort it out.

Stanley Burn runs the length of most of the town and it goes underneath Stanley Road between Laird Weir and Greenacres but the once green and thriving area is now a squalor with vermin, fly-tipping and animal waste replacing flowers, flowing waters and fantastic scenery.

And one Laird Weir resident has hit out at North Ayrshire Council and said they need to do more to ensure the area is up to scratch.

The man, who does not wish to be named, spoke to the Herald about the mess in which the area has been in and explained what it is like living near it, he said: “Over the years it’s just got worse and worse. I know that others are able to relate to this and I am fed up of living with it.

“Over the years there has been fridges, garden rubbish, household rubbish and even one man who was walking past with his dog and when his dog did the toilet he picked it up, wrapped up the bag and threw it into the burn. I confronted him and asked him what the point of it was. The wast attracts vermin and you get the feeling that from North Ayrshire Council that it is out of sight and out of mind.”

The burn. which leads to the beach between Ardrossan and Saltcoats and works as an unofficial border between the towns, and the small area is fast becoming an eyesore.

The resident added: “The grass can be over six feet tall and it is cut once a year if you are lucky.

“It’s a possible flood risk and the council need to have a long, hard look at themselves.

“What can they do to sort it? I’ve kept my mouth shut but I have had enough.

“There are rats coming into my garden and they are only coming from one place.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We take illegal dumping very seriously and are making real progress by stepping up our efforts to crack down on fly-tipping in North Ayrshire.

“Our new fly-tipping officer was appointed in April this year and he is working tirelessly with his enforcement team to try to rid communities of any eyesores.

“The team patrols the whole of North Ayrshire as well as concentrating on known hotspots.

“The area next to Laird Weir is not a known hot spot and there was no evidence of fly-tipping or untidiness when we visited the area on Monday of this week. Nevertheless, we will continue to monitor the site and take action if required.

“In the meantime, we would like to remind residents that fly-tipping is a criminal offence and a nuisance to our communities.

“We urge anyone who sees illegal dumping taking place to report it to us on our website or by calling us on 01294 310 000.

“We take all reports seriously and will investigate as soon as possible.”