Kentish Express Ashford & District
Councillor leads streets clean-up
A no-nonsense councillor is getting to grips with the problems of flytipping and speeding motorists by calling for residents’ help.
Ryan Macpherson was elected as Ukip’s second ward councillor in Beaver Ward at a by-election earlier this summer.
Since then, he has been approaching residents to try to sort out blocked drains and clear rubbish from alleyways in the South Ashford ward.
It follows a report in the Kentish Express last month in which Caroline Owen described how the alleyway to the side of her home had become an impassable fire hazard due to rubbish.
In Cllr Macpherson’s first newsletter to residents he has declared a “war on flytipping” and said: “Flytipping in the ward is being combated on a weekly basis.
“We’re looking to get these pockets of refuse cleared, with new notices against flytipping. We are not putting up with this any longer. I’m appealing to the residents in the ward to be vigilant in reporting it.
He said he has also reported a run-down phone box to BT after it had grown a “carpet of moss” and been covered with graffiti.
Now he wants residents to join him in a petition to get a speed camera set up in Beaver Lane.
Cllr MacPherson said: “Individuals are racing, doing doughnuts and dangerous driving on a daily basis.
“Efforts must be taken now to enforce speeding on the road.”
Residents can contact Cllr Macpherson by emailing ryan. macpherson@ashford.gov.uk