Richard Stevens

For some reason, the issue of litter in the town seems to have been raised in numerous conversations and situations over the last few weeks. Litter has always been near the top of the list of complaints but the current debate seems to have started a couple of weeks ago when the Stone Post, one of the freebie weeklies, carried a front page story with two large photographs showing two areas of litter. Interestingly, in one of the photos there was clearly visible a large bundle of what appeared to be free newspapers that had thrown away, presumably, by a delivery person!

The thrust of the story was that ‘the council’ had failed to clear up the litter and a couple of residents were quoted and gave the totally false impression that Stone was knee deep in litter. I am in no doubt that both photos showed litter on private property and, for that reason, are not part of our town’s street cleaner’s duties. I do accept however that the land owners have a responsibility and I have received numerous complaints that our major supermarket could do more to keep it’s premises more litter free. I agree.

I was quoted in the story as saying that the street cleaning machine had been off the road for repairs but was expected back within days. Indeed, by the time the Post hit the door mats, the machine was back in action! But, imagine my despair when a couple of days ago a recovery vehicle entered the High Street and winched the machine on board. Yes, it’s broken down again. This piece of equipment seems to have spent more time off the road for repairs than it has in use. It’s high time we had a more reliable machine so that our street cleaner could do the job he’s employed to do. It is unrealistic to expect him to keep the town clean on foot with a hand held litter picker.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Yesterday Jan and I took Jan’s daughter for a good walk over the back of Redhill to Cotwalton and back home. We started by walking along Nanny Goat Lane and I am delighted to report that there was not one piece of litter along it’s whole length from Longton Road to The Avenue. Not even a cigarette end! Now I know that this is due entirely to at least one volunteer litter picker (and maybe more) and what a fantastic job he is doing! And I am aware of anther volunteer who keeps Granville Terrace neat and tidy. I do my bit in Oulton Road between Princes Street and the school and the Lions regularly litter pick the canal towpath and the amphitheatre. Are there other litter pickers out there who regularly keep their neighbourhood tidy?

However within a few hundred yards of leaving Nanny Goat Lane, we encountered the bad news. The litter along the path between Mill Street and Church Lane is awful. Perhaps this week I might have a word with the manager of Morrisons to see who owns the land in question. It’s an eyesore and needs to be dealt with.

Which is a timely reminder that PC Andy Whitehall is organising a community litter pick on Saturday 23rd February starting in Market Square at 10.00 a.m. Andy is bringing along a group of young people who want to join his boxing training club, The Right Stuff, and, true to his word, he is insisting that these lads take part in community activities in return for free boxing tuition. Members of the public are also welcome to attend and a good turn out of town councillors is expected. And I am delighted that The Good Food Chain from Walton Business Park have offered Andy sponsorship and free rereshments for those who take part.

It’s good to raise the profile of the litter issue. It is, of course,  a national issue and Stone does not have a major problem. But we must keep tackling the issue. And involving the younger generation is an important part of the package - instilling a sense of civic pride is essential if we are to educate people not to drop the litter in the first place.