Council staff abused by public litter louts
LITTERBUGS have been accused of verbally accusing Halton park workers after leaving the borough’s parks strewn with rubbish.
Halton Borough Council
open spaces chiefs have criticised their actions after areas across Widnes and Runcorn were hit, particularly Spike Island.
Other locations to have been affected include the Town Park in Runcorn, Halton Castle and the grass verges along West Lane in Runcorn.
Cllr Ron Hignett (open spaces) blamed a ‘mindless minority’ and pleaded for the public to take their rubbish home if bins are full and said there is no excuse for littering.
A Halton Council spokesman said park workers have been at the forefront of the borough’s Covid-19 response, having to keep parks and open spaces safe, clean and tidy, which has been of particular importance during lockdown with limits on travel.
Cllr Hignett said: “If bins are full, take your rubbish home with you.
“Groups of up to six can meet now, but you do need to keep social distance. “Please be respectful of our staff, they’re trying to keep the parks nice for people to use.
“We have always thought of our parks as jewels in Halton’s crown, and the public agrees.
“Thanks to all the council staff and the many volunteers who help make them look so good.
“Let’s not have all that good work undone by a mindless minority.”
Paul Boardman, open spaces officer, said: “While it is unfortunate that a minority are acting antisocially, it must be stressed that we are grateful for those who behave responsibly and assist us in our goals of keeping the borough’s award winning open spaces available for the public to enjoy.”
Halton Council’s spokesman added that the local authority-run Victoria Park in Widnes had been voted as among the top 10 parks in the country twice in two years by the public, and was the only park in the North West to make the list.
He said Runcorn Hill narrowly missed out and was in the top 20.