A PART OF THE WORCESTER & BIRMINGHAM CANAL in Worcester is being named a 'grot spot' owing to the amount of fly tipping.
This is by the Shrup Hill Retail Park, Janet Friend reports.
With a Worcester Canal Group leader telling that enforcement action may be the solution to the fly-tipping turning a city canalside into one of the city's worst 'grot spots'.
Close to the canal
The team from the Worcester Canal Group filled two large recycling bags with rubbish from close to the canal near the Shrub Hill Retail Park in Worcester on Saturday.
The group discovered a large quantity of beer cans, clothing and even a sleeping bag and a traffic cone although, on this occasion no drugs paraphernalia was found, though this was found on previous occasions.
The poor condition of the canal, including graffiti and rubbish has been highlighted by members of the council, who insist the issue needs to be addressed collectively by retail park managers, the city council, police and Canal & River Trust.
Councillor Alex Mace, who took part in the litter pick, told that Worcester City Council did have powers under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requiring steps to be taken to remedy the untidy condition of the land where it adversely affects the amenity of the area, and relates:
Owned by Canal & River Trust
"We're on the Worcester Canal Group litter pick this morning. I've done as much as I can. I've filled up a whole recycling bag with rubbish but I will be reporting it to the city council's planning enforcement team because although this land is owned by the Canal & River Trust and managed by Savills, we can use powers under reducing the amenity of the area to enforce a clear up. So I'll report to the council and hopefully action will be taken soon to clean up this area."
He urged members of the public to join them on the Worcester Canal Group litter pick on the last Saturday of every month, starting at 10.30am in Lansdowne Park in Worcester where all equipment is provided.