Anger at vile grot spot

By North Devon Journal | Thursday, February 16, 2012, 08:00

AN ILFRACOMBE resident has called for a local grot spot to be kept clean for the tourist season.

DISGUSTING: Jasmine Jones by the rubbish strewn area at the top of Avenue Road. Picture: Rob Tibbles. Ref: BNRT20120212D-001_C

Jasmine Jones of Avenue Road said she is fed up with litter, dog mess, used needles and graffiti at one of the town's main tourist thoroughfares near her home.

Jasmine said part of the area is privately owned but she has called on the authorities to intervene and clean it up.

She said: "The patch of land behind the Subway shop is ankle deep in rubbish, some of which is dirty nappies.

"I believe it is privately owned as it is attached to a nearby block of flats.

"Part of the car park area next to it is also in a bad state. It looks like a cross between a needle exchange and a dog loo with more and more graffiti turning up each week."

Jasmine said the area needs to be cleaned up before tourists start arriving in the town.

She said: "It is absolutely scandalous that part of one of the main thoroughfares between the High Street and the seafront can be left in such a vile state.

"I operate a holiday let on Avenue Road and a sight like this is not good for visitors or residents. Something needs to be done about it."

A spokesman for North Devon Council's environmental health, waste and recycling department said: "This plot of land has been fenced off but currently the fencing appears to have been partially broken down.

"The land is privately owned so littering and dog fouling is a matter for the landowner to clear.

"Whilst there is littering and evidence of dog fouling, there is no evidence of rodents or other public health concerns.

"North Devon Council officers will attempt to get in touch with the landowners and their agents to get them to voluntarily secure the land to prevent further rubbish tipping and dog fouling.

"Our officers have had success in getting the owner to clear litter previously.

"As this is private land, dog fouling fixed penalty notices can only be issued with the agreement of the land owner following which evidence of an offence must be obtained."

It is understood that two days after the Journal's enquiries the area of land in question had been cleared.

Jasmine said: "I'm delighted at this outcome but I have no doubt it will be filthy again within days."

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Comments

I trust that Jasmine will receive all the support that she needs now that her plight, and that of others in the area, has been exposed. These issues are usually on-going and need on-going support. I often wonder where the ever vocal councillors are when people experience difficulties that are not of their own making.

By equity2010 at 01:50 on 23/02/12
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ROOMATTHETOP - you must know you are being far to simplistic in your description of London, in the same way as some people are about Ilfracombe. In your time in London you must have known that at many junctions you could turn left and find apocalyptic poverty, filth, danger and decay and turn right and find diamond encrusted wealth. And everything in between. It is a city that is far wealthier than most and has by many of the most deprived areas in the UK. it is a city of extremes. Ilfracombe is not a town of extremes.

By LanternView at 08:57 on 22/02/12
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Many thanks for your advice ROOMATTHETOP.

By equity2010 at 02:21 on 22/02/12
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Ska, no not at all. I'm always going to London and it was where I worked for a lifetime, mainly in the City area, but also on Victoria Embankment and the west end. I think a dead body is as likely to be stepped over in Ilfracombe as in London. I'm not saying that people are overtly 'friendly' in London when travelling on the tube, but conversations are struck up spontaneously more often than they are here. Perhaps it's a kind of capital fellowship. Of course, you can jump on the tube at Shepherds Bush and get off at Leytonstone and not be bothered by a soul, but the same indifference to surrounding humanity may also occur on a bus trip from Ilfracombe to Bideford. I just can't help my general experience that I feel a little safer in the City area at night than I do here. I don't go wandering the streets of Ilfracombe at midnight but when I took a walk from the Tate Modern to Chancery Lane tube, over the Millennium Bridge, I felt less uncomfortable when I would walking the same distance in say, Combe Martin on a Friday night. Similarly, three weeks ago, I strolled from the Ibis Hotel in Earls Court to a pub in North End Road, just near Talgarth Road, at around 9.30pm , to meet up for a drink, and felt perfectly secure. All this 'gang' stuff is nonsense. It's only each other they trouble. Ilfracombe youth, however, seem a bit simple to me. They're still wearing hoods!

By ROOMATTHETOP at 13:50 on 21/02/12
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"people are friendlier on the London underground" than any Devon town!
I was watching a reality show on BBC last night where people stepped over the deceased body of a London man on the underground.The people that witnessed that were not shocked.
I (like you) am originally from a City (outside of the South West) so im not blowing my Devonian trumpet.
It is not clear when you last lived in London,but it is clear that you are very much visualising London with an `antiquated Mary Poppins outlook`.

By skareggae72 at 13:30 on 21/02/12
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