AN IRATE resident has hit out at Stratford District Council over a messy issue.
James Charlett says he has been contacting the council for three months about overflowing bins on Bancroft Gardens and the recreation ground – something he says is a recurrent problem.
He said: “I have just been on a late afternoon stroll, and at 4.30pm the bins are again already full with waste piling up. They clearly haven’t been emptied all day and I expect they will now be left until tomorrow, so God knows what they will be like then.
“It’s a health and safety issue, not only as dog waste bags are being left on top of the bins, will also attract rats and if the rubbish blows into the canal and river.”
In an email to the council he added: “I simply cannot fathom why you haven’t bothered to address this matter in the three months I have been contacting you, it’s as if you don’t care about the town and it’s bordering on negligence.”
A Stratford District Council spokeswoman told the Observer the matter was being investigated, but would not comment further.
But the council says it is focusing on tackling a rise in littering.
The spokeswoman said: “Litter is everyone’s responsibility and since lockdown restrictions eased the district council has seen a significant and unwelcome rise in litter. That is why the district council launched the ‘don’t be a tosser’ campaign over the summer.
“The aim of the campaign is to remind people they need to clean up after themselves and bin their litter or take it home. This is even more important during the current pandemic in helping to reduce the spread of the disease.
“The strapline is not intended to cause offence, but is hard-hitting to tackle the issue and draw attention. “Littering is illegal, anti-social, has a negative impact on the environment, is harmful for wildlife and costs thousands of pounds each year to clear.”
