Posted on 8th Mar
Residents of a neighbourhood in Forest Town blighted by rubbish, fly tipping and dog fouling are being urged to support a council campaign to clean up their area.
The Avenues area has had long-standing issues with dog fouling and rubbish in people’s gardens and the alleyways that run between the houses.
Now Mansfield District Council’s environmental health team has asked local residents to work together to give the area a big spring clean.
Letters have been delivered to about 300 households reminding them of their responsibilities to keep the alleyways next to their homes clean and tidy on the grounds of public health.
It is hoped this will encourage people to have an outdoor spring clean, including removing rubbish and dog mess from their gardens and bordering alleyways.
In a couple of weeks’ time the council will carry out a walking survey to identify any properties and alleyways that require further action.
Properties where problems continue will be sent a further letter outlining the issues, with a copy sent to the owner of the property if it is rented, with a deadline to make improvements.
If problems continue to persist, a legal notice may be served requiring occupiers or owners to carry out certain works. Failure to comply could lead to the council carrying out the clean-up work and charging owners or occupiers for that work.
Coun Marion Bradshaw, portfolio holder for Safer Communities, Housing and Wellbeing, said: “The ongoing unsightly state of the alleyways on the Avenues part of Mansfield is unacceptable.
“The council is not responsible for cleaning these back alleys or ensuring any vegetation is kept in check so that they are accessible. This responsibility rests entirely with the owners and occupiers of the homes bordering these alleys.
“It may be that people who own or rent homes in the Avenues are unaware that this is their responsibility so we are trying to reach out to them and raise awareness in order to tackle what has been a persistent problem in this part of the town.
“No one likes seeing fly tipping or piles of rubbish in people’s gardens. It encourages vermin and brings down the whole neighbourhood by discouraging people from taking pride in where they live.
“It could also be a fire risk – either from the rubbish itself or because the rubbish blocks an exit that could be vital in the event of fire.
“By cleaning up an area, it improves the quality of life for all and encourages everyone to respect their neighbours and responsibilities as residents.
“We hope our gentle encouragement will achieve results and encourage neighbours to work together.
“If it doesn’t then the council is prepared to resort to legal action to bring about improvements or carry out the work needed and then charge householders for it. We really hope this won’t be necessary.”
To find out more about council street cleaning visit https://www.mansfield.
