AN INVERCLYDE beauty spot has been turned into a ‘no go’ area in bad weather because of a new football pitch, it is claimed.

Campaigners say they believe the artificial surface at St Columba’s High School has affected drainage of a large grass area around Tower Hill, causing frequent flooding.

Chris Robertson and Lewis Black, who live near Tower Hill, say the drainage problems started in June last year when the pitch was completed, but complaints to the council have not resulted in any improvements.

Mr Robertson said: “This is very popular area for walkers and dog walkers, but now areas of the public park which were walkable in all seasons are now only usable in spells of sustained very dry weather.

“We believe the drainage has been severely disturbed by the new pitch, but nothing has been done about it despite meetings with councillors and council officials, and the issue being raised at Gourock Community Council.” Mr Black said the areas around the perimeter of the pitch were supposed to have remained flat, but instead there is a raised embankment created with the rubble from the field which was hollowed out to create the pitch.

He said: “This means that these embankments cannot be easily maintained, so we have wilderness areas which are not accessible to the public, who were told they would be able to watch football games from outside the fencing.” Mr Robertson added: “Quite apart from these issues, the pitch itself is observed as not being used to its full potential by either the school or the community, and is often padlocked when children could be playing on it.

“The facility does not represent, at present, value for money.

“This beauty spot should have its public areas properly restored and maintained.” A spokesman for Inverclyde Council denied they have had any reports of flooding in the Tower Hill area, other than ‘minor issues’ with the pitch itself.

He said: “These have been addressed and we will continue to monitor the situation.” The spokesman added: “There is ample provision for authorised spectators to watch games being played on the pitch.

“As with all school pitches and premises, bookings are managed through Inverclyde Leisure. School premises are never left open unless there is a booking, and staff are on hand.”