| They uprooted saplings that had been planted on ground between Black Street and Cleghorn Street and smashed the supports holding up several others.
Local councillor Bob Duncan lashed out at the vandals today, describing their actions as “disgusting”.
The trees had been planted in an area of land just off Lochee Road that Dundee City Council have been transforming from waste ground to a green space.
As well as the trees being planted, a new path has been laid. Once the project is completed, the council will have spent around £55,000 improving the area.
As well as the destruction of the trees, the area has also been used as a dumping ground for rubbish.
“The whole Black Street area was recently done up and an excellent job was done, but I came in to work this morning and saw the area has been badly vandalised, with all the trees ripped up,” said Councillor Duncan today.
“I’m absolutely disgusted by this wanton vandalism in what would have been a nice city park.
“I think the cost for each of these trees runs into three figures, so you can imagine how much this will cost the taxpayer.”
Cllr Duncan added that that not only had the vandals’ actions undermined the efforts of the city council to improve the Black Street area, it was also a slap in the face to nearby residents.
“The scheme is attempting to regenerate the area, only for this to be done by people with no thought for anyone else,” he said.
Cllr Duncan also welcomed Inspector Jim Leslie’s announcement yesterday that rowdy children in the west of Dundee are to be hunted after causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Groups of youths are said to be causing anxiety for residents of Dalrymple Street and the surrounding area, with police receiving 18 calls reporting kids throwing stones at Hillside Primary School and Hillside student halls of residence in the five weeks up to January 7. |
