Kentish Express Ashford & District
Rubbish-strewn alleyway ‘a health and fire hazard’
Residents are angry over shocking state of blocked path and say it’s getting worse
Residents are fed up with an alleyway being used as a dumping ground for flytippers and people too lazy to take their junk to the tip.
The pathway between Crownfield Road and Beaver Lane in South Ashford has become impassable due to the mounting tyres, wood, building materials, rubbish and overgrown plants.
Caroline Owen has lived in the area for 15 years, and says the problem has become significantly worse in the last year, but says her pleas to the council have fallen on deaf ears.
She said: “It’s now blocking the whole of the side of my house and it has been ongoing for quite some time.
“It’s dangerous. I’m worried it potentially being a fire hazard stacked up against the side of my house, there’s lots of wood and rubbish there, and there could be rats as well.
“This is a public alleyway which is not gated off. We’ve complained to the council, but they’ve told us it’s not their problem.
“The dumping happens all the time, there are nearby houses in multiple occupation and they just don’t care at all. It’s really quite disgraceful.”
She has called on the council to take action to clear the area, but says she has been “disappointed” by the response so far.
The newly elected ward representative Cllr Ryan MacPherson (Ukip) said he hadn’t heard about this alleyway, but has been dealing with the problem of Dean’s Walk nearby. He said: “I’m happy to look into the problem.
“Some of the alleyways are just being overrun a little by Mother Nature or have been a bit neglected. I’m not sure if that is because of inactivity of councillors or the council itself, but I will look into it.”
A spokesman for Ashford Borough Council said: “We were made aware of the flytipping in the alley this week. We contacted our contractors to clear the waste and it will be removed as soon as possible.
“Littering and fly-tipping are careless offences and we expect everyone to do their bit to keep our borough clean and tidy.”
Flytipping can be reported by calling 01233 331111, e-mailing streetscene@ashford.gov.uk or by visiting www.ashford.gov. uk/flytipping.
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