A GOUROCK council candidate is campaigning to light up Tower Hill and make it a safer place to walk at nights.

Labour's Martin McCluskey says the 'hidden gem' is a hugely popular local walk but is largely out of bounds at night due to being shrouded in darkness.

As well asking for lighting, he is calling for the council to look at gritting the pathways regularly.

Mr McCluskey said: "It is a such a beautiful walk and since lockdown people are using it more than before.

"But it is very slippy in parts when the weather is cold and it is icy.

"I also think to make it safer there should be some low lighting on the footpaths, so that people can see better.

"We need to make places like this more accessible and safe for people to walk."

There have been other campaigns, led by independent councillors, to have lights installed in nearby Gourock Park.

Now Mr McCluskey wants to put make sure Tower Hill is made safe for all those who are using it.

But his push could run into difficulty due to a lack of finance, as Municipal Buildings bosses say they do not have the cash to carry out the work.

An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “We fund and provide street lighting on public (adopted) roads, footways, remote footpaths and where it is deemed necessary to do in terms of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

“We do not provide new lighting to private footpaths or other private areas.

“There is currently no budget allocation for additional lighting in this location.

“Gritting is carried out on a priority basis to ensure essential locations are treated based on the limited resources available.”