THE cleanliness of Melksham’s town centre has come under fire from residents, who say more needs to be done to keep up the appearance of the town to help encourage visitors.
The issue was highlighted in the last issue of the Melksham News by Whitley resident Les Gould, who explained that he and his wife were appalled by the bins that were overflowing with rubbish in the Avon Place shopping precinct.
In response, local resident, Sandra Gill, who lives in the town centre, contacted Melksham News to support Les’ concerns. Sandra said, “The Avon Place precinct is a disgrace. The bins are always overflowing, cigarette ends all over the floor, coffee cups and napkins everywhere.
“If every shop owner was to sweep outside their shop every morning, it would make a huge difference. It wouldn’t take very long!
“Every morning I walk into the town to get a newspaper and outside my gate there are crisp packets, burger boxes and beer cans. I clean it all up – this is almost every day and I’m sick of it. But I will continue to do it because I can’t bear to see my town in such a state.
“The town hosts fantastic events throughout the year and people come from neighbouring towns to attend. But we shouldn’t just make an effort for these few events, we should be encouraging people to come into our town and use our shops and cafés 365 days of the year. And I really believe that the town being clean and tidy would make a huge difference.
“The Town Tidy team do a great job but they shouldn’t have to clean up after those who can’t be bothered to put their rubbish in the bin!
“Some people might say that I’m over-reacting, but I strongly believe that the cleanliness of the town is deteriorating and if we don’t do something soon, our lovely market town will be ruined.”
Melksham News approached Bridger Bell Commercial, the company responsible for the maintenance of the Avon Place shopping precinct, about the issue of the bins overflowing with rubbish, but received no response before going to press.
