VOLUNTEERS found nearly 70 needles that had been used to inject drugs in one small stretch along the River Clyde, as part of a litter-pick during COP26.

Paul Richardson, who regularly cleans the White Cart Water, had planned to sail down the River Clyde – yards away from where the climate summit is being held – on a boat made up of plastic bottles that he’s previously collected.

He wanted to camp on the raft as part of a peaceful protest.

But the Calamity Kayaking founder was threatened to be charged by police if he entered the water and didn’t want to risk losing his kayak.

The Herald:

Instead, Paul, Joseph Heenan, Gail McAtear and Jim Keenan decided to take part in one of their usual litter picks.

Paul said: “We went up to Adelphi Street in the Gorbals. It was the only section we could legally go on because of COP26.

“It was absolutely atrocious. It was strewn with litter. We cleaned on the water as well as the riverbank. It’s a bit unsafe to clean on the riverbank with a bag and litter picker so we had to hold onto trees, have the litter picker in the other hand and fling it onto the path adjacent. That was the safest place to stand and bag it.

“If you’re at an angle with a litter picker and a bag and you slip on that wet grass you’re basically in the water.

“We picked up astronomical amounts of rubbish.”

The Herald:

The small team collected 36 bags full of litter, as well as 67 needles – all in 100 metres.

Paul added: “It’s quite sad that we had to destroy a drug taking den, which was polythene cellotaped to trees. It was full of silver trays, sponges, and needles.

“One of the needles was stuck in a tree. The majority of addicts don’t take drugs for fun, it’s an escape for them. We feel really bad we had to rip it down.

“Drug consumption rooms are a must in this country. People need a safe environment rather than jumping over a fence, injecting themselves, and leaving the needle at their backside.”

The Herald:

As well as hundreds of cans, plastic bottles and crisps packets, the team found traffic cones, a scooter, a bike frame, and a stolen bag.

Police were called to collect the bag, which contained black and white photos, a wallet and a pair of glasses. Officers are looking to return it to its owner.

The Herald:

Paul, who set up his Calamity Kayaking business two years ago, has also been cleaning the White Cart Water for years.

He was teaching kaya lessons to adults and children but had to return to his previous job after not being busy enough.

However, the Paisley man still spends time depolluting the White Cart Water in Glasgow and Renfrewshire.

He said: “It’s about time we get funding to keep this work going. We’ve been doing it for two years now without any financial support. It’s terrible, we’re pretty annoyed.

"You’ve got COP26 going on in Glasgow, and half a mile up the road there’s all this plastic and rubbish on the riverbank.

“We want to carry on doing the work we do. I’ve had to stop the kayak lessons and take my old job back, but it’s annoying me because I can’t clean as much now.

“I would rather receive funding and continue the work on the rivers.”