Fury at park litter louts
THIS may look like the morning after a music festival, but it’s actually Platt Fields Park.
The popular Fallowfield site was strewn with beer cans, burned-out barbecues and other litter as hundreds of people descended there on the hottest day of the year.
The sea of rubbish outraged some students, who are now taking action to clear it up themselves. Freddie Barnes, a first year physics student who posted photos of the mess on social media, has set up a group called ‘Clean Up Platt Fields Park.’
Freddie, 20, said: “I think it is important this issue is highlighted. The negative effects of littering on any scale - are numerous and generally obvious.
“It is also a crime in which the perpetrator is the victim.
“Everyone there was having a great time enjoying the precious green space of a city park, but it will no longer be a pleasant place to be if filled with waste.
“Students don’t pay council tax so this luxury is free for us and we need to respect that.
“There really is no excuse but we can mitigate the effects by each going back and filling a bag or two of rubbish.
“So far, I have been thoroughly encouraged by the huge number of students who share this opinion and will be going back to help clean up.
“It’s also important to remember that students are not solely responsible for this mess.”
A large clear-up operation of the park was underway yesterday morning.
The Friends Of Platt Fields group urged people to use their common sense when enjoying the park.
A spokesman said: “We all love to see the park being enjoyed by so many people during the good weather.
“However, we would remind people that their rubbish is their responsibility and to use their common sense.
“If the bins are already full, please take your rubbish home with you and dispose of it and recycle it according to the council’s policies.
“To the council we would say please acknowledge that warm days will result in ‘peak rubbish’ in our parks and public spaces, and increase the number of rubbish collections to cater for the excess.
“Rubbish is not only unsightly, it can be dangerous to children, dogs and wildlife, so when you use Platt Fields park, please aim to leave no trace.”
Manchester council have been approached for a comment.