A YOUNGSTER from Redditch is calling for the town to clean up its act and stop dropping litter.
Megan Levack, a Year 8 student, contacted the Standard concerned that the pond near Matchborough Centre was such a sorry sight, with empty cans, bottles and shopping trolleys in the water.
When we went to investigate we found two shopping trolleys, a submerged shopping basket, and a whole host of discarded cans and bottles floating in the water.
The rubbish, it seems, is something of an on-going issue, despite the borough council’s best efforts to clean it up.
Frank, who has lived and worked in the area for many years, said: “Litter is certainly an on-going issue. There are plenty of bins around – it’s just encouraging people to use them that seems to be the problem,”
Gina Ellinas, who works in the Golden Carp Chippy, added: “It’s definitely something I’ve noticed, especially when the kids come out in the evenings – bottles and cans seem to end up everywhere. It’s not nice to see.
“It does seem to get cleaned up – but the problem seems to be more about the persistence of litter dropping.”
Samantha Green she was concerned about the amount of dog waste: “My son has come home on numerous occasions with dog poo all over the wheels of his bike and on his shoes. It just seems to get everywhere – and everyday we see more and more,” she said.
“The bins are there, but people just seem to not want to bother with them.”
Councillor Juliet Brunner (Con, M’boro) regularly runs litter picks herself to help keep the area looking neat and tidy.
She said. “It’s something that could simply be solved by residents either using the bins provided or taking their rubbish home with them.”
A Council Spokesperson said: “Our place teams are always out and about to tidy up and keep on top of litter right across the borough.
“The best resolution to the problem would be for residents to take responsibility for their litter and to bin it instead of dropping it in the first instance.
“Residents are urged to discourage others from dropping litter and to keep an eye out or report any problems in their area. Please do not hesitate to contact us.”
Residents can contact the council on 01527 64252.
