ABANDONED beer cans and bottles, dog fouling and the remains of fires on a Warrington nature site are a danger to wildlife according to a local MP.
Warrington North MP Helen Jones is calling for action to improve the river-bank site at Paddington Meadows.
She is calling for promised improvements to be carried out.
In July the MP and local resident John Lomax, met representatives of the Police, Warrington Borough Council, landowners Peel Holdings, local conservation groups and local councillor Colin Froggatt on site.
They discussed the problems, including litter and fires and considered ways to tackle them. But nine months on the MP complains the situation has not improved.
Mr Lomax, who has been monitoring the problems, asked Helen Jones to visit the site again.
She said: “Paddington Meadows is an area of great beauty but remains a mess. Following the meeting we had last year I thought that real progress would be made in improving the area.
“Sadly, progress has been slow. Burnt out signs give a terrible initial impression as you reach the pathway. Weeds are growing in front of gates making them difficult to open.
“Litter and dog mess is a constant hazard and the rubbish in the river must be a hazard for wildlife.”
Ms Jones called for co-ordinated action to restore the area to its proper state before it is too late.
“It is difficult to imagine areas of beauty in the south of the town being neglected in this way,” she said.
Mr Lomax said he feels the pride that local people should have in the area is diminishing and it is no longer a place to take visitors.”
Coun Froggatt said: “It would appear the work which is happening on Paddington Meadows is unco-ordinated and not being done to an overall plan.
“Paths where people previously had public access are not being maintained. Where trees have been removed, what is left looks like a building site.”
He said there were signs of vandalism and no measures had been taken to stop motorcycles using the site and causing damage.”
Pictured…Helen Jones with a burnt interpretation board
Wildlife site is eyesore says MP
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
