Cheltenham town centre 'dirtier than Worcester'
Concerns have been raised over the tidiness of the town centre.
Residents have raised concerns over how untidy and dirty Cheltenham town centre is compared to rival destinations such as Worcester and Leamington Spa.
Town resident Barry Brown quizzed Cheltenham Borough Council leaders this week what was being done about the mess.
“Cheltenham town centre looks untidy and unkempt,” he said. “The High Street from Poundland to John Lewis really needs a deep clean.
“I have recently visited Worcester and Leamington Spa and there is no comparison. Their streets are so much cleaner than ours."
He asked if there were any plans for a “deep clean” of the pedestrianised areas of the town centre.
The Borough council said they will announce their plans to tidy up the High Street in July.
Councillor Izaac Tailford said the council is pleased to welcome a lot of visitors to the festival town.
He said Ubico is out every morning from around 5.30am with manual crews litter picking, sweeping up and emptying bins.
They are also out with two small pavement sweepers, the jet washing crew and the mechanical road sweeper to ensure the town centre is clean “by the time most people get up in the morning”.
However, he said the council is reducing the amount of weed spray they use to better look after the town’s trees.
“This year we will be further reducing the amount of weed spray used across the borough by not spraying around tree bases in grass verges or on paved areas which will assist in allowing vegetation to grow around tree bases helping to maintain moisture levels,” Cllr Tailford said.
“I can confirm that we intend to carefully manually cut back tree bases in hard standing, such as in the Promenade, on a monthly basis where possible and this work has already begun or is about to.
“Whilst I am not sure I agree with your comments about the cleanliness of Cheltenham compared to Worcester and Leamington Spa, I am a firm believer that things can always be improved.
“I am pleased to say that there are plans to carry out a deep clean of the pedestrianised areas of the town centre and more details will be made available early in July."