Town 'plagued by litter problem'
Article printed in the Driffield Times 25/01/2006
driffield today archive source
Yet, several areas of Driffield have become rubbish hotspots because people fail to use them.
The deplorable situation was highlighted by a resident who told the town council in a letter: "While walking up Riverhead and the canal I have done my share of picking up discarded plastic bottles.
"Today, the litter problem on the parking area outside the garage was really bad. I understand that this is private property but as the council is trying to promote this as a conservation area I would like to bring it to your attention.
"I am told that those responsible are the young people who gather here in cars, especially on a weekend night and it is suspected that drink and drugs are involved.
"I am also told the police are aware and I wonder if there are regular weekend night patrols if this is the case. Despite the efforts of the council workforce, litter in Driffield remains a problem."
The letter was the subject of a debate by members of the town council general purposes committee on Tuesday, when councillors pointed out that there were several areas of Driffield which were now plagued by rubbish.
Coun Brent Roach said that over the road from the canal there was a grate across the stream which was often clogged with litter.
And Coun Betty Cartwright said she was disgusted to see rubbish building up in the stream close to the Access Centre on Exchange Street.
Coun Mark Warner said there were three or four places around the town where dropped litter was a problem.
Coun Steve Poessl said: "The chances are that even when there is a litter bin nearby people will not use it. It is the trend now to throw stuff on the floor."
The committee was told that there was a litter problem along Bridlington Road close to the school and it was suggested that educating children not to drop litter was one answer to the problems.
Coun Adrian O'Connor said he had witnessed problems caused by school children on Mill Street. When a woman challenged a youngster about throwing paper on the floor she was greeted with a torrent of abuse.
Coun Warner said Driffield School was making efforts to curb litter with an ongoing programme of adding more bins and by regularly reminding children to use them.
The school had also pointed out that often the litter problems in the area were not caused by children as many adults using the sports centre were also guilty of littering.
Coun Poessl said: "It is a lack of education and a case of we could not care less about the neighbourhood we live in."
The committee agreed to write to the Driffield Navigation Amenities Association highlighting the litter problems in the area around Riverhead and asking them to address the situation.
25 January 2006