Croydon Street Overrun by Rubbish and Fly-Tipped Waste
Residents of Croydon are frustrated as their street becomes a dumping ground for rubbish and fly-tipped waste, impacting their quality of life.
Croydon, Fly-Tipping, Waste Management, Environmental Issues, Community Concerns
Croydon: Residents are really upset about the state of their street. It used to be a lovely place, but now it’s like a rubbish dump. Piles of trash are everywhere, and it’s not just a few bags here and there. We’re talking about big heaps of waste in front gardens and on the street.
Gonville Road, where this is happening, is lined with old terraced houses. People used to love living there, but now they feel like it’s been taken over by fly-tipping. It’s a real shame because these homes have so much character.
While the folks dumping the rubbish are definitely part of the problem, many locals think the council isn’t doing enough to tackle it. They say the council’s enforcement is basically non-existent, which just lets the issue keep getting worse.
One house on the street is completely covered in black bin bags and other junk. Even though it’s on the property, it’s still a big problem for the neighborhood. It’s been like that for over a year, and it’s attracting all sorts of pests.
When the Local Democracy Reporting Service checked it out, the person living there wasn’t home. Neighbors mentioned that the mess started when the inside of the house was being fixed up, but it’s just stayed there since. One neighbor said, “This street used to be beautiful, and now it’s just a dump.”
Another resident, Ron, has lived there for a while and has seen the decline. He mentioned how people just toss out whatever they don’t want when they move in. It’s become the norm, and when he tries to talk to them about it, they often get aggressive.
He even saw someone dragging two mattresses out of their house, only to find them burned the next day. It’s frustrating for everyone, especially when he trips over rubbish on the pavement at night.
Ron has reached out to the council multiple times, but he feels like nothing gets done. He’s been told they have teams that check the area, but he hasn’t seen any evidence of that. It’s just a mess everywhere you look.
His local councillor, Stuart King, is also upset about the situation. He said they reported the issue back in November, and it’s disappointing that it’s only gotten worse. It’s a clear sign that the Mayor isn’t handling these environmental problems well.
Last summer, the council tried to clean up the town center, but Ron thinks those efforts don’t really fix the root of the problem. He believes they need to do more than just temporary clean-ups.
Others in the area are also frustrated with the council’s lack of action against fly-tippers. In fact, Croydon has one of the worst records for prosecuting fly-tipping in the country. It’s a big issue that needs serious attention.
Councillor Rowenna Davis has been vocal about the problem, saying it’s unhygienic and illegal. She pointed out that the lack of enforcement means people can dump their rubbish without any consequences. It’s a real mess, and the Mayor’s promises to clean things up haven’t panned out.
Interestingly, a recent report showed that Croydon had the highest number of fly-tipping incidents in the country, with over 38,000 reports. The council has spent a ton of money cleaning it up, but it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
Matt Foreman from L&Q said they’re working with the council to tackle the fly-tipping issue. They’re trying to find long-term solutions and have even put up new signs to deter it. But for now, residents are just hoping for some real change.