Where are Winsford's worst littering hotspots?

Well, we asked one of the members of the Winsford Litter Project – a group of volunteers who helped keep the area clean – to lend us a hand in finding out where the notable points for littering are.

“There are many, many hotspots around Winsford with repeated picks needed weekly or even more frequently to keep on top of things,” said Geraint James Emes, a member of the group since the first lockdown.

The old High Street

“The old High Street is often poor, together with the area around the roundabout. This area is picked at least twice a week by Pauline and Colin. Fly-tipping is not uncommon.”

Delamere Street/Woodford Lane

“My home area around Delamere Street and Woodford Lane are also hotspots. I pick there at least twice a week, in addition to help from Elaine and Ian.

“I call it takeaway alley as this accurately reflects the typical items littered.”

Some of the litter picked by the Winsford Litter Project group

Playgrounds

“Playgrounds are frequently disappointing, including The Grange, Longmynd Rise and Knights Grange,” he continued.

“Cans, plastic bottles and hundreds of sweet wrappers must be picked from these each and every week. Improvements have been seen, especially by many more football teams and groups of players bagging up their rubbish.”

“Knights Grange is also a big hotspot due to its popularity as a destination for recreation by Winsfordians. Colin is our main man here, with the golf course and the Ocean needing regular attention.”

St Johns/Glebe Green Drive

“Gerry and Nin get out into the St Johns estate at least three times a week. This, alongside the Glebe Green estate, represents probably our worst areas for fly-tipping despite their proximity to the recycling centre,” Geraint added.

The group often clean up mess and litter around Winsford

Mount Pleasant Drive/Cheviot Square

“Nearby, Stuart has done a phenomenal amount of work along Mount Pleasant Drive and James clears glass twice a week without fail in Cheviot Square.”

Geraint also paid a special thanks to the work of founder and president Steve Edwards, Colin and the Waste Warriors, Sam and Lydnsay, Lyn and Dave’s work for helping to transform other former hotspots and areas.

“All regular pickers within the project can't wait for the end of the current recycling system,” added Geraint.

“Almost every area in Winsford is potentially a hotspot after their bin day. Not blaming the bin men, simply the inadequate boxes with no lids, any windy day when the rubbish has been left out overnight. Roll on the wheelie bins.”