VIDEO: LOCAL residents teamed up with Warrington Borough Council to carry out a community litter pick around the Barleycastle Industrial Estate at Appleton Thorn.
An estimated 50 residents, many from the Appleton Thorn area, joined forces with the council’s refuse collection team to tackle a litter blackspot which has become an eyesore.
In the space of just three hours they collected an estimated four tonnes of rubbish, much which has ended up in grass verges and hedges rows after being thrown from the windows of passing vehicles.
Warrington Borough Cllr Sharon Harris said: “Well this morning was inspirational.
“The community, local councillors and the Borough Council working together.
“Thank you to the 50 fabulous volunteers gave up 3hrs of their Saturday morning and collected 2 tons of waste dumped mostly by lorry drivers as they enter the estate.
“Grappenhall Lane will be litter picked by WBC tomorrow (Sunday). This is not a community event as the road is too dangerous.
“The two day litter pick has cost thousands of pounds so we can’t have repeat performances every year.
“We need businesses on the trading estate to change their future behaviour. I am hoping that we can now form a working group of business reps., WBC, Parish Council and residents to ensure that this happens.
“Appleton Thorn is a place to be proud of – such great community spirit. Well done one and all.”
Warrington South MP Andy Carter, who also joined in with the litter picking added: “This morning I joined around 50 volunteer residents and Councillors in Appleton Thorn who were clearing the verges around the Barleycastle Lane Industrial Estate.
“When you drive past you see the litter on the verge but having walked and looked closely I’m quite shocked at the amount of rubbish being thrown from vehicles who use this route to and from the motorway.
“I’ve written to businesses on the Estate to ask them to play a bigger part in keeping this area clean.
“I’m really grateful for the community who’ve taken action to sort this problem. I’ll also be asking WBC for bins to be placed in lay-bys in this area.”
Local resident Sally Peterken who took time out from a special birthday milestone to take part in the community litter pick.
