Promise to force bridge clean-up
Jon Coupland, pictured with daughter Jessica (6), is disgusted at the state of the area near his Green Lane home.
A COUNCILLOR has vowed to “explore all avenues” to force landowners to clear rubbish from under a railway bridge used by children on their way to school.
Coun Gambba-Jones, South Holland District Council portfolio holder for waste management, has accused Network Rail, who own the land to the sides of the bridge between Spalding’s Green Lane and St John’s Road, of “failing both the community and the environment”by allowing old settees and piles of discarded beer cans to accumulate for more than two years.
He made his promise after the Lincolnshire Free Press was contacted by one angry father “disgusted” at the state of the bridge which he uses to walk his six-year-old daughter to nearby St John’s School.
Jon Coupland, who lives in Green Lane just yards from the bridge, said: “It’s disgusting and it’s been like it for two years.
“I’ve complained to the council but it’s still there and something needs to be done.
“It makes Spalding look like a tip.”
However, the council says there has been previous dialogue about the problem and Network Rail is aware of its obligations to clear the site as it owns the land.
Coun Gambba-Jones said: “I will be exploring all avenues to address this issues, including advice from the Council for the Protection of Rural England regarding the use of litter abatement orders that can be used as a last resort when dealing with public companies that are failing both the community and the environment.”
A spokesman for Network said the last report of litter at the bridge was in 2007 when action was taken to ensure it was quickly removed and urged anyone with information about fly-tipping on railway land to contact a national helpline on 08457 114141.
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Weather for Spalding
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 6 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
bertielamb72
Friday, February 24, 2012 at 04:35 PMThe day after the paper article, I saw some 'official' looking people in there and thought great, they are getting it cleared'. However, one whole month later, all the rubbish is still there. It is indeed an eyesore. Anyone know what is happening on this. There must be a way for the community to help - When I was in a part of London recently the a Jewish community group were clearing a piece of land next to the railway and were going to make a sensory garden there. Wouldn't it be brilliant if this could happen here!
smokeyjoe
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 01:06 PMUsual constructive comment from 'Woody'
woody
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 10:08 PMSpalding is a tip .
biceps
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 07:56 PMFunnily enough I called Network Rail about this last week. They called back and said they were sending people to sort it out 'soon'.
CampaigningForSpalding
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 07:24 PMI'll pass my email to the paper if they don't have it already and we can arrange it, Roger?, what excuse can you pose to delay it?, health and safety? let me guess, those involved will have to have a certain certificate to handle the waste, or they will need certain equipment, it's up to you, not everything needs to be a military exercise planned 2 years in advance to give maximum coverage
CampaigningForSpalding
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 07:03 PMBrilliant - no interest until the paper gets involved. Here's an offer Gamba-jones, a serious one too, you provide the council vans for Saturday and I'll provide the community to load them. Simples. What more do you need? more letters to network rail to put on your blog?
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