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Residents Crackdown On Loch Earn YobsAndrew WelshStrathearn Herald, 4 April 2003STRATHEARN residents yesterday defended their role in the imposition of a partial fishing ban on Loch Earn. Community councillors and local entrepreneurs have recently put mounting pressure on landowners to launch a crack down on anti-social behaviour among a section of anglers using the loch - which has led to the total closure of a section of Lochearnhead foreshore as well as a night curfew at a stretch of water at St Fillans. Anglers were informed of the action by Drummond Estates’ Loch Earn Fishings at the end of last month after consultations with Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park representatives, whose area of jurisdiction includes Loch Earn. Mike Fox, chairman of St Fillans Community Council told the Herald that community representatives had attended initial meetings of the national park's recently formed Loch Earn recreation management committee to make their views known on littering, anti-social behaviour and ‘wild’ camping at both ends of the loch. Mr Fox groaned: "We had hoped in recent weeks that we would not end up with the same sort of pollution problems near St Fillans that have been evident for a few yews now. "Unfortunately the shoreline at the village has become notorious around here for being in a disgusting state. There are no proper toilet facilities for anglers and the number of residents complaining after finding raw human waste on the shore recently has been just as high as ever." He added: "The situation as it stands is so bad that I am not aware of anyone in the village who might actually be willing to walk along certain parts of the shore during the fishing season. Also, police have been called out to St Fillans at 2am on several occasions because of drunken behaviour and obviously everyone in the area now hopes that there will be an end to wild camping in the area". Mr Fox went on to say that up until the formal opening of the national park last July it had been left to elderly residents to carry out voluntary rubbish pick-ups at the loch side - even during the harshest weather conditions. He said: "Even though the national park people have helped out by emptying bins and carrying out their own collections, litter tends to get blown up the shore towards the homes at the east of the village and, particularly during the winter, it is still the locals who are clearing up most of the mess." Lochearnhead-based Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park committee member Owen McKee told the Herald yesterday that the authority is likely to be better equipped to deal with anti-social behaviour once its new office opens in Lochearnhead later this year - but he does not expect the problem will completely disappear. He said: "People using the national park should be expected to behave within acceptable bounds, although I think everyone realises that the problem will not be solved overnight. "It is just not possible to have a blanket restriction on camping and drinking sessions along the loch side because as yet the park authorities have no direct control over such matters. The committee members want to make the park available to everybody but all park users should be made aware of their responsibilities. "The vast majority, including many fishermen, are offended by the behaviour of a minority on Loch Earn. However, the restrictions are a first step towards educating park users about the need to have respect for other people in the neighbourhood. "National park rangers will soon be based in Lochearnhead and that will make it easier for them to carry out regular patrols. Also, both Tayside and Central Police are involved as well and they have said they will try to carry out extra checks." And Mr McKee also moved to allay fears that fishing restrictions on Loch Earn could have a negative impact on the area's tourist trade. He added: "If the loch is more comfortable for people who wish to visit then it will be so much the better for nearby businesses. "I have spoken to a lot of people who used to spend time at Loch Earn but have since been put off coming back because of the anti-social behaviour that it tends to attract at the moment. "People just get abuse if they challenge anyone who they come across drunk at the loch side and I would urge anyone in those circumstances to make a report to the police or the park rangers." Michael Aldridge of Loch Earn Fishings said that no fishing is being allowed to take place near St Fillans between 6pm and 6am "to reduce the disturbance to residents". On top of that, the Edinchip foreshore at Lochearnhead has been withdrawn from the fishing area as a result of litter problems and vandalism. He added: "Whilst we acknowledge that these problems are not caused by genuine anglers, we feel this is a positive step to help the local community and hope it will not unduly affect the enjoyment of the fishing. "We do not wish to lose any more fishing areas, so anglers are requested to encourage others to follow permit conditions." |