I WROTE to the council office responsible for cleaning and maintenance around a year ago to protest about the general cleanliness of Spring Walk, a small pathway in Springbourne.

Even though I did not receive the courtesy of a reply, I did notice that within a couple of weeks the pathway was cleared and tidied.

This may have been as a result of my correspondence or just a scheduled clean. It had the desired effect and for a couple of weeks at least, children and the general public could walk through the alleyway without fear of treading on glass, dog faeces, human faeces and general litter.

The problem now seems far more widespread than just the pathway; unfortunately it has spread to the surrounding area.

The current state of Palmerston Road, the adjoining footbridge that spans the railway line and roads leading up to Lincoln Avenue is nothing short of disgusting.

Litter adorns most of the kerbs and a sizeable amount of the pavement. Dog faeces is a daily obstacle.

The pavements around the Cooperative store at the top of the avenue are covered in chewing gum, and the clothes collection unit outside the store seems to have become, on occasions, a dumping ground for unwanted bric-a-brac.

I know that in times of general austerity the strings on the public purse are somewhat tightened; however, it doesn’t negate the need and necessity for the pavements and general byways of our town to be cleaned regularly.

It seems the general standard of cleanliness and the level we reasonably expect to tolerate as a society has decreased rapidly.

How many parents out there just accept that the footbridge over the railway off Palmerston Road is covered in dog faeces, broken glass and discarded cans?

NAME SUPPLIED, Pokesdown