FRESH safety fears have been sparked as the neglected site of a former housing estate in Greenock becomes a dangerous dumping ground.

The land just off Kenilworth Crescent is an unsightly mess strewn with broken glass and burnt out furniture.

Parts of the public pathway, which runs to Maple Road, are also effectively inaccessible for local dog walkers and schoolchildren going to and from nearby Whinhill Primary, due to overgrown plants and bushes.

The cleared site is owned by River Clyde Homes (RCH) and residents claim the housing association has failed to deliver on promises of landscaping works.

Dog walker Alan Robertson says nothing has been done to at the site in the near-three year spell since the Tele told how one of his golden retrievers had to be rescued from an uncovered six-foot hole in the ground.

Alan told the Tele: “Since then nothing has been done — the hole is still there. All the manhole covers have been stolen and it’s an absolute jungle. This area could be quite nice and it’s a shame it’s ended up so overgrown.

“I think it’s too far gone to landscape it now.” The site stretches from Kenilworth down to Woodstock Road, Hole Farm and on to Maple Road, and has an outlook over Greenock and the Clyde.

Resident Alison Keir, who regularly walks her dog Barney in the area, is another person unhappy about the state of it.

She said: “I’m increasingly concerned with all the broken glass and the overgrown jungle.

“It’s a danger for dogs and for the kids as well.

“Barney loves coming here but I have to be really careful.

“Is there an action plan for the area? It could be so nice.” Bosses at RCH today said the manhole cover had been replaced in 2011 but that the area had been targeted by metal thieves.

They have vowed to carry out an immediate inspection of the site and have pledged to work with the council to crack down on flytippers.

Russell Smith, the housing association’s cleaner greener neighbourhoods manager, said: “As a matter of urgency we will inspect all the manhole covers on that site.

“We will also inspect the entire area and review the situation of the pathways for safety reasons.

“With regards to the flytipping, we had previously installed bollards on the site in an effort to prevent dumping but will work with our partners at Inverclyde Council to have any materials removed. In addition, we are currently in discussions with the council to review the roads and path network in the area following the demolition of the remaining buildings.”