Heap of dog mess piles up in parks (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Heap of dog mess piles up in Merton parks

10:37am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Omar Oakes

Residents have cried foul over the “disgusting sight” of overflowing dog mess bins - allowed to pile up after not being collected by the council.

Pictures of the neglected bins were sent to us from readers in Morden Park, King George's Recreation Ground in Lower Morden and Joseph Hood memorial playing fields in Motspur Park.

The bins were finally collected last week after complaints.

Bob Forsberg, a member of the Friends of West Barnes Library, said: “It was a disgusting sight that should not have been allowed to get so bad, but hopefully the measures taken by the council's waste department will ensure they are regularly emptied in future.

“I'd very much like to see the park retain it's Green Flag award. Those of us that live in Motspur Park are proud of our lovely green space and are anxious to see it looked after."

On Saturday, another overflowing bin was pictured by a dog owner who said: “Is this what we pay our council tax for? This is totally unacceptable.

“I have seen other parks in and around Morden area where the dog waste bins are overflowing.

“Surely one visit a week would not be too much to ask to empty these bins? What are the Parks employees doing with their time?”

Another reader made the same complaint about Morden Park three weeks earlier in February, and sent a picture of an overflowing bin next to Bow Lane scout hall.

She said: “I live in the Lower Morden area and it seems to be an ongoing problem.

“Not only are they disgusting to look at and to have to walk past but they are a health hazard.”

When asked, Merton Council would not say often the bins are supposed to be emptied and could offer no explanation for why so many had been neglected in recent weeks.

Councillor Mark Betteridge, cabinet member for performance and implementation, said: "We would like to thank local dog walkers for bringing this matter to our attention.

“There has been no change to the collection frequency and the few bins which were overflowing have now been collected."