Residents of Croydon are frustrated as their street is overwhelmed by fly-tipping, creating an unsightly and unhygienic environment.
Croydon: It’s a real mess on Gonville Road. Residents are saying their once lovely street is now a dumping ground. There are piles of rubbish everywhere, from black bin bags to broken wood and cardboard boxes just tossed around.
This street, which has those charming 19th-century houses, is just off the main road. People used to love living here, but now they feel like it’s been taken over by fly-tipping.
Sure, the folks who dump their trash are to blame, but many locals think Croydon Council isn’t doing enough to tackle the problem. They say the council’s enforcement is basically non-existent, which just makes things worse.
One house is completely covered in overflowing black bags and other junk. Even food waste is piling up, attracting foxes and rats. Neighbors say this mess has been there for over a year, and it’s really starting to stink.
When the Local Democracy Reporting Service checked it out, the owner wasn’t home. Neighbors mentioned that the rubbish started piling up during some renovations, but it’s just been left there since.
One resident said, “This whole street has become like a garbage dump. It used to be beautiful.” It’s sad to see how things have changed.
Another local, Ron, has lived there since 2013 and is fed up. He sees rubbish everywhere, and it’s not just a one-time thing. He tripped over a bin bag one night while walking home. It’s a constant issue.
Ron pointed out a spot near the junction with Thornton Heath Road where rubbish keeps piling up, despite a fake camera and a fly-tipping sign. He’s even emailed the council about it, but feels like nothing is getting done.
He said, “I keep emailing them, but they just say they have teams checking things out. I asked for a schedule, but they didn’t have any proof of these teams actually coming around.”
Ron’s local councillor, Stuart King, is also frustrated. He mentioned that they reported the issue back in November, and it’s only gotten worse since then. It’s a clear sign that the Mayor isn’t handling these environmental problems well.
Last summer, Croydon Council tried to clean up Thornton Heath town center, but Ron thinks those efforts don’t really fix the root of the problem. He said, “They only do a Blitz Clean because they’ve ignored the mess for so long.”
Others are also pointing fingers at the council for not enforcing laws against fly-tippers. In fact, Croydon had the second-worst record for fly-tipping prosecutions in the country last year. It’s a real issue that needs attention.
Councillor Rowenna Davis is campaigning against fly-tipping in her area. She said it’s disgusting and illegal, and it’s affecting families who have to walk by piles of waste. She’s frustrated that the council isn’t doing enough to stop it.
On social media, Croydon’s finance cabinet member, Jason Cummings, mentioned that the previous Labour administration also made cuts to enforcement teams. It’s a tough situation all around.
A recent report showed that Croydon had the highest number of fly-tipping incidents in the country, with over 38,000 reports last year. The council spent over a million pounds cleaning up the mess, but it seems like a never-ending cycle.
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 people from dumping their trash.