Council criticised over Shrewsbury littering response

Tom Stokes, of Crowmere Road, raised the issue of littering in the area early last month after revealing that he is forced to carry out litter picks up to three times a week.

However, despite raising the problem he says he feels let down by the response from Shropshire Council.

During his efforts Mr Stokes has found six bongs, four syringes, four condoms, four nitrous oxide canisters, one smashed mobile phone, one shopping trolley as well as dozens of dog poo bags and litter.

He said: "The response I have had has been dreadful."

Mr Stokes said that he had called for the council to cut back some of the undergrowth in the area to prevent people using it as a bin but was told that nothing can be done until the next financial year.

He said: "Five weeks this has been ongoing. I have had one or two conversations from the council but all they say is "isn't it terrible, but we cannot do anything until the next financial year because there is no money".

"They have got the people to do it. They just need to hack back the overgrown bushes and clear out the stuff in there."

He added: "How much does it cost to cut back a few bushes and remove litter? Which, I've pretty much removed most of myself in the past few weeks.

"I am beyond belief that an issue so serious as this to people's health and safety is being ignored."

Carmen Eccleston, Shropshire Council’s street scene manager, said the authority provides an urgent response for issues like needles, and said it would be looking to tackle the overgrown bushes after April.

She said: "We have assured Mr Stokes that the removal of needles, syringes and other hazardous items found discarded in public places is prioritised and that on receipt of reports confirming affected locations an urgent response is arranged."

Mrs Eccleston said measures are being taken to tackle dog fouling and praised Mr Stokes' community spirited efforts.

She said: “Maintaining streets to an acceptable standard of cleanliness is an important function of the council’s environmental maintenance team which, unfortunately, is made more difficult by the behaviour of some individuals who carelessly litter the streets or fail to clean up properly after their dogs. In response to Mr Stokes’ reports concerning dog fouling, our dog warden has arranged for reactive cleansing, conducted patrols and also posted dog fouling warning signs in the area."

“Whilst it is disappointing that some local people behave in a careless manner, it is encouraging that other local people, such as Mr Stokes, would not litter and actually aim to improve their neighbourhood by voluntarily picking litter. Efforts made by volunteers helping in their communities is always appreciated and we can offer assistance with the removal and disposal of the bags of litter that people collect, or with provision of litter picking equipment."