Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

JENNYCLIFF

Do we look after our crown jewels? At Jennycliff we have one of the most fantastic waterfront leisure spots anywhere in Europe. The views over the sound, out to sea, back towards an increasingly interesting Plymouth skyline are second to none.

But what have we done with it? My attention has been drawn recently by two constituents to the fact that at we have allowed the breathtaking coastal walks along Jennycliff to become a glorified dog’s toilet. I went for an inspection with Cllr Ken Foster, one of the energetic ward councillors. I have been there many times over the years to enjoy the unique views from the car park with elderly relatives, but to my shame I have rarely walked the path back towards Mountbatten.

Let’s face it the adventure does not start well. If there is a more pit-holed car park anywhere in the western hemisphere I would like to see it. But the appalling nature of the parking surface pales into insignificance when your eyes feast upon all of the rubbish encircling the parking space. Scraps of paper, plastic bags and bottles everywhere.

Within a few yards of crossing the road, the sheer magnificence of the seascape takes your breath away. But I was not there to enjoy the view – on we strolled. To find that the walkway is indeed littered with dog’s mess. It was obvious that someone, presumably the council, had recently picked up a whole load of droppings, because the grassy surface was riddled with pock marks where some kind of mechanical devoice had been used. But there was still plenty of mess around that would have prevented me from taking the grandchildren for a fling.

It is not the fault of the dogs. Too many dog owners are not behaving responsibly. I did see some people putting their poop bags in the two or three bins provided. But there are not enough bins and not enough signs to encourage people to use the bins and warn of dire consequences if they don’t. We will be urging the council to do what they can about the litter and the car park. More bins and signs and more regular dog warden patrols would also help. But in the end, dear people, it is down to you and I to pick up our rubbish and take it home and scoop up any poop our dogs may make and put it in the bin

posted by Nigel on Monday, February 19, 2007