Fly tipping action plan slammed
A council plan to put benches outside a Welshpool fly tipping hotspot is a 'hare-brained' idea according to a councillor.
Tomorrow Welshpool Town Council will debate an idea to put two benches and a bin outside a disused shop on Berriew Street, which has been a hub for fly tipping in recent years.
It is an attempt to stop any further mess being left in the area.
However former town councillor and now county councillor Graham Breeze can't see any point in the move.
He said: "Welshpool Town Councillors were this week considering one of the most hare-brained schemes I have ever come across – and I really hope they come to their senses before going ahead..
"It appears to be a scheme put forward by the town clerk after he was dispatched to meet the shop owners to voice council concerns about the state of the building and its use as a popular spot for fly-tipping.
"The council has been picking up the bill for cleaning the shop front and now wants to spend another £400 of our money.
"The news sparked a justified storm of protest on social media this week many asking whether the repercussions of such action have been taken into account. Well clearly, they haven’t.
"And I suspect a few neighbouring shop owners may have a thing or two to say."
He believes it will create a hot spot for the drinking community of Welshpool to congregate.
Councillor Breeze added: "The move might stop the fly-tipping, though I doubt it. But it will also create an ideal area for drinkers to congregate, protected from the elements, in the very area of the town centre that the council has been trying to protect.
"Much better for the drinking community than sitting in the rain in Berriew Street Car park."
At Wednesday's full meeting the council will discuss the idea, which will also see the front door of the shop on Berriew Street closed off so that flats out out via a yard, which the council feel will help the fly tipping situation.
The recommendation says: "The committee recommends that the arrangement with owners to aid putting two benches and a bin in place outside the shop be taken forward. Total cost to the council approximately £400.
"The benches and bin can be used elsewhere on land owned by the council when they are no longer needed."