'It's like an inner city ghetto' – Market Drayton rapped for litter scourge

Mick Bailey has described the area around the recycling bins in town's Towers Lawn car park as a "disgrace".

It comes after the Towers Lawn toilet block was targeted by vandals, which involved excrement being smeared on the walls and thrown on to the ceiling.

Shropshire Council has claimed the site is regularly attended to but that additional visits could be a possibility.

Mr Bailey, who lives in the town, said: "I am lost for words over vandalism as I'm sure many others who live in and around Market Drayton will be.

"But what I saw on one of the town's main car parks to me is equally frustrating.

"While parking my car on Towers Lawn car park on Sunday lunchtime I was greeted with a sight that resembled a poor inner city ghetto rather than a market town car park. What I saw was an absolute disgrace.

"The contents of the recycling bins was scattered all around them, be it intentionally or just due to the fact they were filled to overflowing, either way it was an eyesore.

"The bins are located right next to the town's main bus terminus therefore it may potentially be seen by every person who arrives in Market Drayton via bus.

"They are situated just yards away from the much-troubled town's toilet block. As the old saying goes, first impressions last.

"Do we really want this to be the first impression visitors get when visiting the town?

"Of course we need recycling bins, as do all towns, and yes they have to go somewhere, but surely a site could be found for them that is not as prominent and open to visitors the moment they step from a bus."

Mr Bailey has now called on councillors in the area to take action to ensure the area is kept tidy.

"Come on councillors, if it makes me cringe seeing this unsightly mess, how must visitors feel?," he added.

Julie Jones, clerk of Market Drayton Town Council, said the site falls under the responsibility of Shropshire Council.

"It is a terrible mess and it has been reported in the past.

"It is emptied on a regular basis but obviously not enough," she added.

Paul Beard, Shropshire Council's waste contracts manager, said: "The Bring Banks site is managed by Veolia, on behalf of Shropshire Council. The area around the banks is cleaned up three times a week at present, and this has been found to be sufficient so far. The available resources do not allow a daily sweep of the site, but additional visits can be made on occasions where a significant amount of material has been left outside the banks.

"We would encourage residents to report fly-tipping around the banks if they see it, along with any details of those responsible."