A COUNCILLOR has been knocked back in his bid to remove a Clydebank pedestrian crossing that he said “blighted” the town’s war memorial.

Bailie Denis Agnew had called for an urgent review of the new lights at the town hall and Clydebank Library in November that he said ruined the important civic space.

But council officers said it would cost a staggering £892,000 to move lights after already paying for their installation. They recommended a cheaper option to paint the grey poles black at cost of £8,500.

Even that cost was condemned by councillors and residents - especially with taxpayers now facing drastic cuts to plug a £7million budget shortfall.

Yet Bailie Agnew said preserving the century-old war memorial was more important.

He said the location of the lights, and particularly the double set at both the town hall and at the library, were not discussed or approved on the planning committee. And a site visit last month was “cut short” by an event for the Polish warship ORP Piorun at Solidarity Plaza.

Bailie Agnew called for a delay in considering removing the lights as a result.

He told the West Dunbartonshire Council meeting on December 22: “I’m not against having lights in an appropriate place or safety for pedestrians. The bigger thing is the war memorial - it’s the most important war memorial in Clydebank.

“The costs in the report are quite challenging and I don’t take that lightly.

“This is not about pleasing me or anyone else. It’s a civic issue next to our war memorial and that’s the most important point. It’s a blight on our town hall and the war memorial.

“I’m talking about civic responsibility and respect we should show our war memorial. Painting them a different colour will not make a jot of difference.

“It’s been a bit steamrollered.”

Community Party Councillor Jim Bollan backed Bailie Agnew.

Council leader Jonathan McColl proposed instead to agree to paint the poles for £8,500 and to ensure the sound on the crossing was switched off during importance occasions such as Remembrance Sunday.

He said: “I have sympathy for the issues raised by Bailie Agnew but I believe we need to put this to bed. It was agreed at planning. It’s far too costly to undo.

“I’m happy to buy paint and do it myself for free if that’s an option. Enough time has been spent on the crossing.”

But Labour councillor Danny Lennie, though he offered to hold the ladder for Cllr McColl, said taxpayers would not support the cost of painting the lights.

He said: “We just feel painting goes against the public interest. Leave them alone and save some money and show we are not prepared to indulge ourselves by painting traffic lights.”

Labour Councillor Gail Casey said: “This has always been a dangerous spot for Clydebank. We are delighted this danger spot has been addressed. I believe painting it is a waste of money. I’m happy to turn the volume off on special occasions. They are perfectly fine as they are.”

Labour colleague Lawrence O’Neill added: “I appreciate the memorial has been there for 100 years but the most important thing was to make the crossing there as safe as possible and that far outweighs a potential handful of events during the year.”

Cllr McColl withdrew his motion and backed Labour along with other parties. Bailie Agnew was defeated 17 votes to two.