Lib Dems propose bin storage units to clean up Plymouth streets

Labour-run Plymouth City Council needs to fix the overflowing wheelie bins around the Barbican and lining the route to the Hoe, say local Liberal Democrats.

Hugh Janes, Barbican resident and the Lib Dem candidate for the area in the council elections on 7 May, said: "There are too many bins cluttering the streets of Plymouth, especially around the Barbican and Hoe areas. Living here, I can see that most days they are over-filled, with rubbish spilling out, attracting rats and gulls."

One example cited by Hugh are the bins at the bottom of Hoe Approach, at the junction with Notte Street [pictured]. Hugh commented: "These bins are on the main visitor route to the Hoe. It is a shoddy way to advertise the beauties of our city.

 "Plymouth shouldn't have a rubbish-strewn welcome mat for visitors and tourists."

Hugh has proposed in meetings with the council that the wheelie bins are placed inside bin storage units. Hugh added: "Put the bins out of sight, in bin stores, which will keep them away from the gulls and be much less unsightly. This would be an effective and inexpensive way of keeping the bins out of sight. If they can have living roofs on top, with plants to help bees and other pollinators, that'll be much better for the environment too.

 "The council can do this itself for its own bins, and they can work with businesses to fix those that belong to local shops and firms. I have proposed this, but nothing has been done. As a councillor, I would be in a much better position to fix this and deliver solutions for the problems facing our area."

Plymouth Liberal Democrats have made safer, greener, cleaner streets a priority in their pitch to voters ahead of the council elections on 7 May.

Hugh Janes is the Lib Dem candidate in St Peter and the Waterfront ward, where he lives.