Dismay at rubbish in park
Bins are overflowing and rubbish has been left strewn over grassland at a Stourbridge beauty spot because so many extra visitors have been going there over the holidays, residents have complained. Bins are overflowing and rubbish has been left strewn over grassland at a Stourbridge beauty spot because so many extra visitors have been going there over the holidays, residents have complained. People living near to Mary Stevens Park, in Norton, say services currently in place to maintain the site seem unable to cope with extra visitors. They also claim that paper has been allowed to run out in the public toilets and broken glass has been left near the children's play area. Residents and park users are now calling for increased litter patrols around the site for the rest of the summer holidays to ensure it is kept clean. One resident, who did not want to be named, said he had been very disappointed on a recent visit to the park. "It is simply common sense to realise with the holidays here and facilities for children at the park more people are going to visit," he said. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
People living near to Mary Stevens Park, in Norton, say services currently in place to maintain the site seem unable to cope with extra visitors. They also claim that paper has been allowed to run out in the public toilets and broken glass has been left near the children's play area.
Residents and park users are now calling for increased litter patrols around the site for the rest of the summer holidays to ensure it is kept clean.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said he had been very disappointed on a recent visit to the park.
"It is simply common sense to realise with the holidays here and facilities for children at the park more people are going to visit," he said.
"However those with responsibility for maintaining the park do not seem to have taken this into account.
"It is a wonderful site and well maintained for the most part which is why it is so popular with visitors.
"However it does tend to spoil things when you see bins overflowing with litter and glass and other rubbish on the lawns.
"All it would take is for an increased number of litter patrols during the day to keep in line with the higher numbers of people visiting.
"I just can't understand why this has not been done. It is a shame as it spoils a lovely park."
But Phil Parker, spokesman for Dudley Council said that bins were currently emptied and litter picked up three days a week while other parts were cleaned daily.
"High usage areas, such as the play area, are done on a daily basis," he said.
"We will not hesitate to issue on the spot fines to people who are caught littering at the park or indeed anywhere else."
