By CONNOR MCCANN

and SARAH MCMULLAN

VICTORIA PARK has separated itself from its parent ward and become one of the newest wards in Glasgow.

Acting as the ward’s nucleus is Victoria Park itself - a public park steeped in history much loved and cared for by the residents in surrounding Whiteinch, Broomhill and Jordanhill.

Before this upcoming election the majority of this section of Glasgow took up the whole western side of the Partick West ward.

North of the park is Jordanhill College of Education which attracts people from all over the city and beyond to study both full time and part time courses.

Broomhill to the east of the park includes some of the main arteries that make up the well-to-do West End with a large proportion of the residents renting their properties.

South of the park with Dumbarton Road running through its centre is Whiteinch.

One of the city’s many industrial powerhouses along the Clyde during the city’s ship building era, the area is well-served by a £1million community centre built in 2007.

But now, people living in the new ward may hope that as a smaller area, more attention will be given to the issues that affecting Victoria Park and the communities around it. This is certainly how members of the Whiteinch Community Group feel. According to the Gillian Morgan, the community council’s chairwoman, the communities west of the Clyde Tunnel seem to have been forgotten about. And one landmark which portrays that strong feeling of neglect is Whiteinch Cross.

Built for the arrival of the new millennium, the public space at the junction of Dumbarton Road and Smith Street was to offer a vibrant space for residents.

However, several years of wear and tear has saw the space turn in to an eyesore.

“It’s been left to rust and crumble away,” said Gillian.

“The cross was meant to bring a new breath of life to the area and it did for a while.

“But a lack of care and attention has led it to becoming an eyesore which is a real shame.

“It’s a lovely area to love in but a lot of people in the area do feel like we have been forgotten about.

“It seems like people coming to Glasgow and who actually live in Glasgow don’t know where they are when they come to Whiteinch.

“We would like that to change and we think something as simple as erecting a sign post notifying drivers they are entering Whiteinch will help. The cross is one example in the area that needs attention.

“Another is Victoria Park itself.

“Lots of areas in the park are needing attended to so that areas can continue to be in use.”

Along with redevelopment and refurbishment, road safety is high on the community council’s priorities as are calls for more thought to be taken when it comes to housing developments.