Take pride and beat the 'squalor'
PEOPLE are being urged to take pride in their town after a councillor branded some areas "pure squalor".
Parts of the north-west of Oakham have fallen victim to years of neglect according to town councillor Charles Haworth.
"This has caused a string of problems ranging from graffiti and litter to fly tipping and blocked pavements," he said.
Coun Haworth joined other town and county councillors to meet the police to put ideas into motion for sprucing up the neglected streets and parks.
The meeting was part of a new campaign by community representatives to improve the area.
The issues were highlighted in two ward walks carried out last month. They were organised by town councillor Joyce Lucas who hopes to restore some civic pride.
Coun Lucas, of Lonsdale Way, Oakham, said: "We don't live in an urban city so we don't expect to get a lot of litter, but there is a fair amount for the size of the county. And there are lots of other problems which need to be addressed."
At a follow-up meeting on Thursday last week Rutland County Council staff said some areas are already being tackled. Dumped conifers have been removed, graffiti is being cleaned up and grass cutting is being reviewed. Kerbs in the area will be looked at to improve access for wheelchair users.
A spring clean event hosted by the county council in May will provide more opportunities to improve the area.
Coun Lucas also hopes to address the lack of litter bins, damaged equipment at the Grampian Way playarea, dilapidated garages in Princess Avenue, rusty street signs and damaged bus shelters.
Dog fouling has been highlighted as a problem at the Royce playing field in Princess Avenue and a county council official called for the dogwalkers responsible to be named and shamed.
Street scenes officer Mike Wykes said: "We do get reports of dog fouling and we always clean it up but it is hard to get a prosecution because people are doing this when it's dark.
"The public are aware of who is responsible though and they need to tell us so we can deal with it."
Oakham town councillor Julie France agreed: "We need to shock people into action. It's a minority of people causing these problems but they need to be told exactly what is in dog mess and what effects it can have."
There are four dog mess bins in the park and two more are due to be installed.
The police and town council have also pledged to host an awareness day at the park after Easter.
Dog fouling can be reported confidentially to Rutland County Council on 01572 722577.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Stamford
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
