Pensioner’s anger after nappies dumped in alley

School says problem unlikely to be caused by one of its parents

A resident has pleaded with a school to take action after soiled nappies were dumped in an alleyway near her home.

Hermione Best, 77, first noticed the nappies being dumped in the pathway linking Oak Tree Road with Harper Road in South Ashford several weeks ago.

She fears a parent of a child at the nearby Ashford Oaks Primary School could be responsible for dropping them in the secluded spot.

She said: “Last half-term I complained about it to the head teacher, and he said he would sent a letter to parents to say it is not on.

“I considered that it was sorted, but this week I walked up the alley to catch a bus and spotted six, no kidding, six, new nappies.

“I was so cross, it was nasty and there was lots of paper everywhere where they had obviously wiped the kids. There is no need for it.”

Mrs Best, who is herself a mother-of-five, said she is con- cerned about the nappies swelling up if it rains.

“In my day we had to slog to clean nappies, whereas these days you don’t have to. Why couldn’t they wait until the child got home?

“It’s disgusting. They think they can just dump it in the first week back at school. I had to scurry through the alley in order to go to the gym. I know I sound old fashioned, but it saddens me.”

Ashford Oaks head teacher Gerry D’Cruz said he is doubt- ful that one of the parents of children at his school is responsible.

He said: “I can confirm that we did listen to Mrs Best’s concerns and that parents were made aware of the situation in a school newsletter home.

“However, what more can we do? No one has been seen leaving nappies, and short of CCTV footage I can’t see how we can tackle the problem.

“The house is some distance from the school and I just can’t imagine a scenario where a parent would change their child and choose to carry a nappy to this particular spot to drop it.

“I think it’s more likely that they are coming from a neighbouring house.”

Residents concerned about the dropped nappies can also report the issue to Ashford Borough Council online by visiting www. ashford.gov.uk/report-streetcleansing-issue.

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Hermione Best has complained about nappies being dumped in an alleyway in South Ashford near her home