It was a lovely weekend in London due to the good weather. It was known it was going to be. The forecasts were accurate. Therefore it was predictable that many more people than usual would have picnics in our local parks.

Yet as these pictures sent to me from a local residents show the bins in Ravenscourt Park were not able to cope with the litter.

There is nothing new about this. Last year I wrote to the Council to say:

“We need more bins (and/or more frequent bin collections) in
Ravenscourt Park – especially in the summer. This is not just when
there are special events in the park. Routinely in the summer the bins
are overflowing.

“It would make sense for Quadrant to accommodate this request as it
would reduce litter. Emptying bins must be less work for them than
picking up litter.”

This was rejected by the Council who said:

“Adding new bins will  impact upon the budget and also add clutter to the park itself which has historically been a concern raised by local residents. Whilst we appreciate that adding more bins may lessen the need to litter pick directly, it will increase the need for collection to empty the bins, again impacting on the labour resource.”

It still seems to me obvious that either we need more bins or they need to be emptied more quickly.

Even when the bins are not overflowing there is the problem of the lack enforcement for those dropping litter.

So far this year the litter bugs have operated with impunity in Ravenscourt Park. The Council tell me:

“We have not noticed any specific litter offences but will always issue a Fixed Penalty Notice if we see litter being deposited – from a cigarette butt to drinks cans or larger items. ”

There has also been a decline in the £80 Fixed Penalty Notices for dog fouling. There were 37 issued in our parks in 2014 but 11 last year. Yet complaints have increased – from 541 in 2014 to 716 last year.

Local parks should be sanctuaries for beauty and recreation.

This slide in the standard of cleanliness is unacceptable.