Councillors have expressed their dismay at Gloucestershire County Council’s lack of “basic maintenance” at an “anti-social hot spot” on the outskirts of Stroud.
The plot of land owned by the County Council adjacent to Sainsbury’s in Stroud acts as a strategic gateway to the Stroud District and the start of the Dudbridge to Nailsworth cycle route. It is also home to the heritage site of the Dudbridge Railway Station.
The councillors have been asking for graffiti to be removed from the heritage site of the old Dudbirdge Station wall for months but have been told that the County Council will only remove graffiti that is considered “offensive”.
Commenting, District Councillor Steve Hyndside (Green, The Stanleys) said: “This whole site paints a poor picture of the District. The site should be a welcoming introduction to the whole area and a key active travel hub. But at the moment it frankly feels abandoned by the County Council. Last year we saw an amazing community response to clearing the area and the repainting the Dudbridge cycle tunnel. But it shouldn’t be up to local residents to undertake basic maintenance on Gloucestershire County Council property”.
As well as graffiti on the historic station wall, the site is also littered with broken benches, a broken fence, overgrown ivy and brambles and a bin that looks uncleaned.
County Councillor Steve Robinson (Labour, Nailsworth Division) said: “This site owned by the County Council should be on their list for regular maintenance.
“Instead, we have benches broken with one entirely missing its back and another entirely missing its seat. We have graffiti springing up and frankly, the whole site needs some basic upkeep. We desperately need the County Council to step up and take responsibility for this site, already renowned locally as an anti-social hot spot, before it gets even worse. If there are any companies in the area that have the equipment to remove this awful graffiti as a community gesture, we would be pleased to hear from you.”
Stroud District Council’s newly appointed Litter Champion, Gill Thomas (Green, Minchinhampton) joined them to inspect the site. She said: “This site is the antithesis of what we are trying to achieve across the district. We are looking to keep our sites clean and welcoming because we know that if sites are neglected then anti-social behaviour can spiral out of control. Across the district, we are pioneering nature-friendly solutions to addressing issues around tagging. Along the canals for example we’re planting hedgerows to protect walls that can also offer crucial habitats, but we know there isn’t a one-size solution for every site.”
Anyone able to volunteer to tidy the site should contact County Councillor Steve Robinson at steve.robinson@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
