Nightmare alleyways ‘past the breaking point now’
COUNCILLOR FEARS RISING PUBLIC HEALTH RISK
We need to take action now as this is beyond a joke. It’s becoming a public health hazard.
Steve Beasant
A NORTH East Lincolnshire councillor believes the East Marsh is at breaking point for the ongoing problem alleyways posing a health risk to people’s lives. Councillor Steve Beasant fears there’s a rising public health risk and believes issues on Weelsby Street could lead to someone dying.
Residents Alan and Natalie Childs say issues on their alleyway which had previously led to a fourmonth rat infestation are not improving and now they are dealing with regular fires as well as people taking drugs there.
The couple are incredibly frustrated with the situation which saw one fire get close to their property. Natalie said: “A couple of Sundays ago we had to put out a fire by ourselves because someone had tried burning the rubbish in the alleyway.
“It got really close to our back gate and had already started setting fire to the fence. If we hadn’t have dealt with it when we did, it could have been a lot worse. “I’ve also found a used needle in the alleyway as well. I was sent a message by a neighbour and when I went to my back gate, there it was.
“I’m worried about taking my son out on his bike in the alleyway now. He might end up picking one up if I’m not careful. He might even put it in his mouth, you never know.
“Me and the other residents just want it clearing now.
Some of us have even suggested installing CCTV down there. I know people on the other side of the alley near Tunnard Street have paid for the locks on the gate to be changed to try to stop it from happening.
“We’ve attempted to do that ourselves, but people just end up opening the gate somehow and dumping their rubbish anyway. The ultimate goal is just getting it clean. It would make the area look nicer and would j just be healthier for us all in general.” Councillor Steve Beasant visited the alleyway on Weelsby Street and is calling for North East Lincolnshire Council to take a tougher stance.
He said: “The council need to take some responsibility and use enforcement policies to make sure it doesn’t happen again. “We’re past the breaking point now. It’ll only take one alleyway to go up or other serious issues for there to be a death if we’re not careful.
“I learnt to ride my bike down an alleyway when I was younger and I can’t see kids being able to do that anymore because of the current issues.”
He said he found evidence in the alleyway which could lead to identifying the fly-tipping culprit. He said: “There is clear evidence of these offenders, the council need to push the boat out, taking strong and firm action.
“This issue is blighting the local community and the vast majority of East Marsh residents don’t flytip. It’s one or two individuals giving the area a bad name.
“I saw the needle myself and it poses a massive health risk. If a child is playing down there and they get cut, something could go disastrously wrong.
“We need to take action now as this is beyond a joke. It’s becoming a public health hazard and the recent fires have shown that it can cost thousands to our fire service.” A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council said: “Flytipping is a concern for the council and we offer a range of support mechanisms to residents to help tackle the problem. To report flytipping, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/ flytipping.”