I’m heartily sick of writing rubbish stories. What is it that makes some people think it is in any way acceptable to dump their household waste in public places?
Would they like it if I threw my rubbish on their doorstep or in their garden?
This latest tirade started germinating yesterday as I took a walk along the Chord Road and a child walking along in front of me dropped a sweet wrapping.
Like thre grumpy old man that I am quickly becoming I thought to myself: “That’s typical, why don’t parents these days teach their children to bring their rubbish home with them?”
My anger was short-lived however, because the child proceeded to do just that, he bent over, picked up the wrapper and put it in his pocket.
“Hallelujah” I thought, “there is hope for the world yet.”
And then I turned down the steps to the North Strand opposite the entrance to Thomas Street. OMG, as people say on social media. They were filthy, not as bad as I’ve often seen them, but the ingrained dirt and slime underfoot was just disgusting.
I was so glad I was on my own. If it had been last week when we had family home from the UK. I would have felt mortified for them to witness the state of the place.
Last time they were over, the Christmas before last, the baby’s buggy was destroyed with dog poo as we waked along Scarlet Street. I know it wasn’t my fault, I don’t even have a dog, but I was mortified anyway.
I know they have dirty people who litter in the UK and their dogs poo as well but this is my home town, I love it and I can’t stand to see it being abused.
I continued my walk yesterday by turning left along North Strand and walking past a terrace of houses which I don’t know the name of. Their front doors open straight out onto the footpath and a good half of them had blocked drains from which smelly ooze was emanating. Again, not pleasant to walk through. I don’t know what that problem is but please, whoever is responsible, get it fixed.
I was heading for Donor’s Green which is one of my favourite places. Just under the viaduct I came across another few bags of rubbish that someone had dumped in a corner.
What is wrong with these people? How thick, how uncaring, how simple do you have to be to think it’s a good idea to carry your rubbish to a public place and dispose of it there instead of simly putting it in your wheelie bin?
I know you have to pay for the bin service but that is part of life – you’ve got to pay for stuff. Everything can’t be free. If you can’t afford a bin service then share one with a neighbour ffs (as people also say on social media).
I, and many other people, have been asking these questions for years and nobody seems to have the answers.
I’ve lost track of the situation regarding the use of hidden CCTV cameras to catch these people in the act of dumping waste. It used to be the case that it was considered to be an infringement of their rights or some such nonsense.
The vast majority of us who abide by the law have rights too and one of those is the right to a pleasant environment in which to live.
These people need to grow up and realise that, as well as rights they also have responsibilities and one of those is to respect the rights of others to enjoy public spaces.
I know they probably won’t read this but it made me feel a bit better to let off steam – at least until I step out for another walk this evening. Maybe I’ll just go for pint instead!
