Tesco urged to help tackle litter

A letter has been sent to bosses at a Staffordshire supermarket by a villager sick of litter problems. Richard Orme suggested several courses of action which Tesco could take to address concerns of people living nearby in Heath Hayes.

He said contact should be made with the council to get borders kept tidy and a contractor could be employed to enhance the surroundings. He also suggested Tesco could get more involved with the community through action such as sponsoring a pelican crossing and arranging a litter sweep.

In the letter, he asked what was being done to clean up the area and what steps were being taken to get surrounding shopkeepers on board.

Copies of his letter have been sent to the supermarket's management and local councillors in a bid to get action. So far, Tesco has not commented on Mr Orme's complaints.

Mr Orme said: "Asda has sponsored the park opposite their site in Cannock, and it's well-kept and a tribute.

"Why don't Tesco take ownership of the child area opposite the Tesco site, which is suffering from lout attacks.

"While it is brand new, it is flawed as it's got an embankment blocking it from being viewed from the road, thus leaving it to the mercy of deviants at night, but more importantly leaving parents feeling isolated when on the park alone with kids, even in the day."

He added: "If Tesco were to sponsor a pelican crossing, level the embankment and do a litter sweep as part of its care of the community, then young families would be encouraged to use the park and walk to use the store."

The play area nearby in Meadow Way has been at the centre of a string of complaints from people living nearby who claimed gangs of more than 50 rowdy youths had been meeting there and causing a nuisance.

Fed-up residents living near the play area had campaigned against new play equipment being put in place last year amid worries it could become a magnet for anti-social behaviour, and they have now said their fears have been realised.

Calls had been made for a Section 30 dispersal order to be introduced, giving police the power to move people on, but the police did not consider it to be the best course of action.