Filthy streets give York a bad image

10:50am Monday 17th September 2012 in Letters By Reader's letter

AS A regular visitor to York for many years, I have noticed on recent visits how filthy and litter-strewn the pavements have become.

This has been noticeable for a couple of years, but since the beginning of this year the streets in central parts of the city are truly disgusting.

Further making the city less attractive to visitors is what appears to be a large number of individuals using the gardens and shop doorways as public toilets, the evidence of which is all around.

Last Saturday evening the waiting coach drivers were using the Memorial Gardens as such, in full view of passers-by. How long will it be before tourists give York a miss and visit alternative cities instead?

John Robinson, Matthew Parker Street, London.

Comments(12)

Fat Harry says...
12:05pm Mon 17 Sep 12

If it's coach drivers who are urinating in Memorial Gardens, perhaps we'd be better off without the visitors.

Report this post »

Fat Harry says...
12:15pm Mon 17 Sep 12

...am I the only one who's suspicious of letters to the Press from visitors?

I'm a regular visitor to London and have to say York is pristine by comparison, but I have never felt the urge to write to the Standard complaining about the filth, used needles, unfriendly locals, rip-off prices, inefficient transport, etc.

Perhaps before his next visit, Mr Robinson's friends in the city could arrange a photo-shoot so that he can pose with a hamburger wrapper and look glum on the front page of the paper.

Report this post »

bolero says...
12:38pm Mon 17 Sep 12

So who is responsible for this litter and filth? I don't see any council employees going around spreading it.

Report this post »

Even AndyD says...
12:47pm Mon 17 Sep 12

As a regular reader of the letters' column and a resident in this city for a few decades, all I can say is things haven't changed. Sometimes there is litter visible etc, sometimes its just been cleared up. Ditto bad smells. What remains constant however is there is always some small-minded person putting pen to paper to complain.

Report this post »

hugohackenbush says...
1:05pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Even AndyD wrote:
As a regular reader of the letters' column and a resident in this city for a few decades, all I can say is things haven't changed. Sometimes there is litter visible etc, sometimes its just been cleared up. Ditto bad smells. What remains constant however is there is always some small-minded person putting pen to paper to complain.
Quite so Even AndyD, do you not have anything else you can be getting on with.

Report this post »

inthesticks says...
2:37pm Mon 17 Sep 12

I`ve never really had an issue with litter, though I fail to see how people can`t take it home with them.
What did shock me on Saturday was the little park area by the river at the side of North Street. It was covered in broken glass from bottles. I had a toddler with me and on a bench a lady was having lunch with two little tots. That isn`t just litter it`s dangerous and though the idiots that do it are to blame I wish someone from the council would check this area regularly.
York City Centre, drinking capital of the north or tourist city?
I live in York by the way but don`t see why people who don`t can`t comment.

Report this post »

Yorkborneinbse says...
3:31pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Russell Stone of York Neighbourhood pride obviously disagrees with both you and me. Here is his response from my complaint re the same sorry impression York gives its visitors, recieved in July 2012. I would imagine if the representatives of the City get their heads out of the A*** !, then they would see what many others see, but until then expect these responses:

Thank you for your enquiry below, however the description you paint of York does not match the general appearance of our city as seen, obviously there are times when standards do slip below those we expect to see, but we aim to rectify these as soon as we can.

We employ approx 30 staff on various forms of street cleansing work, who work 365 days a year giving a service between 05.00 and 21.00, these staff take a great pride in their work in order to present the city at its best for residents and visitors alike.

I would be most grateful to receive your comments in future in order that we may look to improve our service and focus our ever decreasing resources.

Yours sincerely


Russell Stone | Head of Neighbourhood Pride Service
t: 01904 553108 | e: russell.stone@york.g
ov.uk

City of York Council | Neighbourhood Pride Service
Hazel Court | York YO10 3DS

Report this post »

wildthing666 says...
4:54pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Try looking round London, I've seen cleaner sewers.

Report this post »

inthesticks says...
6:42pm Mon 17 Sep 12

wildthing666 wrote:
Try looking round London, I've seen cleaner sewers.
In the centre of London on two Saturday nights this year I didn`t see any rubbish, no broken glass but plenty of workers on the streets keeping it spick and span. I didn`t see any hens or stags either, which I saw dozens of on Saturday afternoon in York.
Quite honestly, I hardly ever go into town and I really don`t want my granddaughter aged 4, to think that it`s normal behaviour for grown adults to shout and swear in the middle of the street.
I know it`s a bit off topic from litter but it`s all part of the bigger picture, lets just build a metal tower like Blackpool and have illuminations and be done with it!
The answer is with licensing laws. Firstly don`t let cheap tacky bars have a license and secondly implement the law that exists for license holders not to serve anyone intoxicated by alcohol. The only time I have ever seen this law upheld was by Mrs. Walker in Coronation Street!

Report this post »

El Clinton says...
11:14am Tue 18 Sep 12

Unfortunately York is way worse than other cities in terms of clearing up litter. and keeping its streets clean. In Leeds, for example, you see teams of street cleaners out each morning and evening. What do you get in York? If you are lucky, a couple of old fellers with a dustpan and brush.

This sunday, the area around the entrance to Leeman Road and by the walls outside the train station were strewn with litter obviously not cleared up from the night before. Its simply not good enough for a City that relies on its image in order to attract and retain visitors but alas the council doesn't want to know.

Report this post »

ZachCohen says...
2:36pm Tue 18 Sep 12

As like most York Suburban residents. I can't afford to get the bus into town, unless its urgent. I would suggest that most York residents don't go to the city centre regularly.
So can I summise that the city centre rubbish problem has been created by our treasured tourists?

Report this post »

Yorkborneinbse says...
8:00pm Tue 18 Sep 12

ZachCohen wrote:
As like most York Suburban residents. I can't afford to get the bus into town, unless its urgent. I would suggest that most York residents don't go to the city centre regularly. So can I summise that the city centre rubbish problem has been created by our treasured tourists?
You can, and you may be right. So whats your answer, ban the visitors? York would be deeper in the **** then.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree