A FELIXSTOWE man today launched a crusade to get a stream running through one of the town's most popular parks cleaned-up and protected.Geoffrey Pearman said the banks of the watercourse in Langer Park are "worse than a rubbish dump" – and is calling on council chiefs to get it sorted.

A FELIXSTOWE man today launched a crusade to get a stream running through one of the town's most popular parks cleaned-up and protected.

Geoffrey Pearman said the banks of the watercourse in Langer Park are "worse than a rubbish dump" - and is calling on council chiefs to get it sorted.

Traffic cones, old tyres, paint tins, plastic sacks and wood and metal have been chucked onto the banks, which have not been cleaned for months.

Mr Pearman's concern comes as town mayor Doreen Savage claimed litter is a "paramount problem" at the resort and needs action.

Mr Pearman, of Marina Gardens, has twice reported pollution of the stream this year and is concerned for its future - and the wildlife which relies on it.

He has been fishing tin cans and bottles out of the stretch which runs from near the gates of the park to a little bridge, but has been appalled at the state of the next section between the bridge and Beach Station Road.

Here he has been unable to take action because he cannot get to the stream or bank because of a high protective fence.

He said: "No-one has cleaned that area for a year at least - it is worse than a rubbish tip.

"There are bollards and tyres, sack of rubbish - you name it - it's a complete mess and absolutely appalling. I think the authorities should be ashamed.

"This could be a lovely area. Along with the rabbits, there are birds and minnows living in the stream, and it just needs a little care and attention."

The two pollution scares - one oil and the other an orange-brown chemical - arose because street drains feed into the stream.

Mr Pearman said only one of six moorhens which previously used the water, could now be seen and a kingfisher had also vanished.

Mrs Savage said: "Litter has become a paramount problem in Felixstowe - and is bad in a number of places, especially alongside the roads as you drive out of the town. I hope the town council's annual spring clean event will draw attention to the issue."

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Coastal, which owns Langer Park, said council's ownership of the banks of the stream ended at the rear of Langer School. From here to Beach Station Road the site belonged to the rail authorities. Council officers would be speaking to the owners to have the site cleaned.

The council, which spends £600,000 a year clearing up rubbish, has just launched a new crackdown on litterbugs and is enforcing £50 on the spot fines for people who leave rubbish on streets, parks, beaches and housing estates.

Six staff - who are not being identified so the public will not be aware of who is watching their behaviour - are on special patrols to impose the fines.

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