Housing bosses accused of backtracking on promise of £5m Broomhill improvements

Five years on from the start of the area's regeneration, ward councillor Colin Jackson says River Clyde Homes has backtracked on promises made to revamp communal areas and open spaces.

Environmental improvements worth £5 million were to be carried out but no work has taken place.

Two years ago the Tele reported that the work had been cancelled.

But bosses at RCH then pledged to reinstate the programme.

River Clyde Homes now say they are 'consulting' with residents on the improvements before any money is spent.

Councillor Jackson says he is baffled by the change of stance.

He said: "What is there to consult on?

"They have already consulted with people and they were told the environmental works were a priority.

"Why start it all again?

"They were supposed to spend five million and then the work was cancelled.

"If you look around Broomhill, Mill Street was all supposed to be upgraded by now.

"But it still looks the same as it did five years ago, in fact it might even look worse.

"There is nowhere nice for kids to play, it is so rundown."

Councillor Jackson first raised the alarm on the environmental improvements a few years ago, when he spotted that contracts had been cancelled.

It came after River Clyde Homes had won an award for its regeneration programme in Broomhill, following a report which praised engagement with the public and the priority given to the environment people live in.

Bosses at RCH subsequently promised to reinstate the works, but now Inverclyde's largest social landlord say they have relaunched a consultation.

When the Tele contacted RCH and invited them to comment they directed us to a page on their website regarding the engagement exercise.

They are dividing proposals into two areas, with one covering parts of Mill Street, Prospecthill Street, Broomhill Street and Drumfrochar Road.

The other area includes parts of Togo Place, Dempster Street and Ann Street.