Ludlow Withdraws from Bloom Awards Amidst ‘Filthy’ StreetsLudlow Withdraws from Bloom Awards Amidst ‘Filthy’ Streets The town of Ludlow, renowned for its picturesque charm, has regrettably withdrawn from the annual Heart of England in Bloom Awards due to a surge in street litter. The Councilor, Viv Parry, has voiced concerns about the deteriorating cleanliness, citing overflowing bins and infrequent street cleaning. The situation, Parry emphasizes, has attracted rats and detracts from the town’s aesthetics. An American visitor, she claims, described Ludlow as “the prettiest town in England” if not for its litter problem. Shropshire Council maintains that the town center is swept regularly and bins are emptied daily, but Parry insists that this is not the case. She has observed rats feasting on food waste in the Castle Street car park and piles of garbage accumulating in the town square. The Council has dismissed rumors that Ludlow’s street sweeper allocation is being withdrawn. Despite this, Parry expresses disappointment, stating that this is only the second time in 25 years that Ludlow has not participated in the Bloom Awards. The withdrawal highlights the importance of maintaining clean and well-maintained public spaces. As Ludlow vies to restore its pristine reputation, the Council and residents must work together to address the litter issue and ensure the town remains a vibrant and aesthetically pleasing destination.
A ‘filthy’ city has withdrawn from this year’s Heart of England in Bloom Awards over street litter.
Ludlow regularly wins a gold medal in the competition, which is part of the Britain in Bloom programme, but 2024 promises to be a bleak year.
Viv Parry, who represents Ludlow on Shropshire Council, said the litter was attracting rats and complained that bins in the town centre were not being emptied often enough and the streets were not being cleaned properly.
According to the local government, the city centre is swept regularly and rubbish bins are emptied daily.
The Liberal Democrat councillor said it was only the second time in 25 years that she had not put her city up for election.
Mrs Parry described Ludlow as “a bit shabby” and said that an American visitor, shocked by the mess, had told a friend of hers that “this would be the prettiest town in England”.
The councillor added to the astonished transatlantic assessment: “I have never seen such rubbish. There are rats running all over the food waste in the Castle Street car park.
“The smaller bins are emptied, but not on weekends. The rubbish on the square is piled high.”
According to Shropshire Council, rumours that Ludlow’s street sweeper allocation is being withdrawn are completely untrue.
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