FRESH calls were made today for more investment and co-operation to clear up litter along the Waterfront in Ipswich.The rubbish has plagued the water for years and is likely to get worse with more developments being built and university students coming to the town this month.
FRESH calls were made today for more investment and co-operation to clear up litter along the Waterfront in Ipswich.
The rubbish has plagued the water for years and is likely to get worse with more developments being built and university students coming to the town this month.
And as these pictures show, the detritus is turning the desirable water's edge into something of an eyesore.
Alan Swann, managing director at Neptune Marina, says his company regularly clears the debris but he claims the problem will never be solved without a concerted effort.
He also called on the public to take more care with their litter and urged Ipswich Borough Council to provide extra funding to help with the tidy-up.
Mr Swann said: “It is a never-ending problem and it has to be dealt with. We do our bit but it isn't our responsibility.
“It is difficult for the borough council to do it because it would require investment.”
Mr Swann said his employees, working alongside the Associated British Ports, routinely spends up to three hours a week fishing rubbish out of the water, filling a six-foot by eight-foot skip in the process.
A spokeswoman from Ipswich Borough Council said it was working with companies on the Waterfront and added: “The council has a cleaning regime for the quays, which includes mechanical sweeping and manual cleaning from the Cleanspace team.
“However, if litter is dropped it often blows directly into the water and then congregates in certain areas.
“The council is keen to work with businesses in the area to reduce litter and further increase the cleaning regime both on the quay and in the wet dock.
“Everyone in the area is working hard to ensure the Ipswich Waterfront area is maintained to a high standard that befits the investment and high quality environment in the area.”
What do you think should be done to tackle the litter problems? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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