‘There needs to be change of attitude and behaviour', says REAG

REAG: ‘There needs to be change of attitude and behaviour of people’

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Members of the Rochdale Environmental Action Group (REAG) visited Pioneer Street, Equitable Street and Durham Street on Friday 28 February and spoke to the residents about the level of litter and rubbish in the area. They highlighted the importance of cleaning.

The residents complained about certain people causing it. There were complaints about a particular resident who was using a trolley to shift his rubbish behind the park.

REAG has asked members of the public to report such incidents to the Environmental Services of Rochdale Council so they can take appropriate action in the matter.

On Saturday 1 March, 2014, members of the REAG cleaned Pioneer Street, Equitable Street, Hare Street and Durham Street in Deeplish. People had been throwing litter and rubbish, and also a fridge has been left in the back alley. This contained rotten food and had become a health hazard. In the nearby car park some drivers have been eating and drinking in their cars and throwing their used tray and bottles in the car park. The residents are asking a CCTV camera there to find out who is responsible for it.

There is a small park in front of the Pioneer Street which was full of litter. The children were playing football. There were thorny bushes which needed trimming or cutting down. The edges of the footpath were filled with litter. REAG collected 20 bags of litter and rubbish from Pioneer Street, Equitable Street and the small park.

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE, Secretary of the REAG, said: “There needs to be change of attitude and behaviour of people who are dropping litter and rubbish on our streets and roads leading to a negative image of the Borough of Rochdale.

“This can either be achieved through education or strict application of the environmental laws.

“REAG’s regular efforts have brought some changes in the behaviour and attitude of some of these people but it cannot be achieved unless all residents, businesses and organisations take it as their own responsibility to improve the environment in the Borough of Rochdale. The blame culture should go and should be replaced with 'I love my town and it is my responsibility to keep it clean'.

“We will continue to improve the environment and work with residents, organisations and the local authority to achieve it. We are asking everyone in the borough to please keep the Borough of Rochdale a cleaner, greener and safer place.”