A COMMUNITY councillor wants New Cumnock to be up the creek WITH a paddle.

Geoff Crolley is hoping to finally get canoeing underway in the area.

For years there have talks about bringing the sport to the village waterways but there are insufficient facilities to host it.

Now Mr.Crolley says if the Nith is dredged, it might bring them closer to the dream - and bring jobs to the area.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Mr.Crolley said: “As it is everybody can see that it’s dangerous.

“If they only just cleaned it up and made it safer, canoes could get up and down it. It’s a lovely bit of the water and it could be made safe.

“There’s the swimming pool that could be used. That sits empty for about nine months out of the year so that could be an option. To me, it’s common sense.” Mr.Crolley claims that turning the 2,000 meter upstream stretch of water into a canoeists’ learning hub could even bring jobs to the area as well as promote exercise, maintain the river and improve the scenery.

He added: “There’s opportunities here. The water there is placid so it can even carry craft for disabled people quite safely if properly dredged and banked.” The New Cumnock Community Action Plan has highlighted the need for outdoor recreation, making the development and promotion of walking, cycling, horse riding and canoeing a priority. It also highlighted the need to clean up the Afton and the Nith as a way to promote canoeing.

The Chronicle revealed last week that council chiefs have confirmed they are funding an extensive study to ensure the floods that hit New Cumnock late last year don’t re-occur.

Graeme Pearson MSP, councillors and local farmers have called for rivers to be dredged at the Leggate, the Castle, Afton Bridge and Nith Bridge.