A PENSIONER claims council chiefs are neglecting Irvine Moor and is demanding a parking area and more dog waste bins are installed to clean the place up.

Sydney James says the residential roads around Irvine Moor have become an unofficial dumping ground for people leaving their cars while they walk their dogs on the moor.

Mr James, who lives in Norman Crescent, has started a petition in the hopes that the council will put in a parking area for the overspill of cars.

He said: “Dog walkers tend to park their cars in the streets around the Moor, especially Carrick Drive, because there is nowhere else for them to park.

“This creates problems because the people who live in these streets either end up blocked in or blocked out. It’s not fair.

“We thought when they put the bollards up to keep the travellers out, that might solve the problem because they had talked about installing a car park. 

“But it just hasn’t even happened. That whole idea seems to have died a death.

“But this is something the area needs. We are not asking for a great big area.

“Just a space for 10-12 cars and it would take the stress of the householders around here and there’s an area of waste ground there which isn’t being used anyway.”

Mr James is also complaining about the lack of dog waste bins on the Moor.

He said: “I know it wouldn’t solve the problem overnight, but if there were more bins then people would have no excuse. At the moment there are only three bins covering the whole Moor and to me that’s just not enough. 

“Dog walkers face hefty fines if they don’t pick up their dog’s mess, so I think the council should be fined for not enough bins.”

However North Ayrshire Council say while they will “take on board” any parking suggestions, they take dog fouling very seriously. They also pointed out that  dog walkers are able to deposit dog waste in ordinary litter bins as well as dog waste bins.

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “We always welcome suggestions about the services we provide and will take any comments on board. However, if any motorists are parking illegally then this is clearly a matter for Police Scotland.

“We take the issue of dog fouling very seriously and that is why we launched our Litter, Fly-tipping and Dog Fouling Prevention Strategy to make North Ayrshire tidier, cleaner and more attractive for both local residents and visitors.

“Dog owners should also be aware that even if there is no dog waste bin nearby, they can deposit the waste in a normal litter bin.”