A RHYL shop owner believes he knows the solution to the litter problems on the streets of his town.
Barrie Newton, who runs Rhyl Lightworks on Vale Road, spends time every day clearing waste left outside his shop and is calling for Denbighshire County Council to introduce a scheme to help tackle the problem.
He is aware of a project in the USA where people are responsible for keeping a section of road free from litter, and is calling for it to be introduced in Denbighshire.
Mr Newton said: “I believe this scheme would be of great benefit. The example saw shopkeepers and private householders rewarded by the local authority with a plaque to say they were responsible for the relevant section of road.
“I have asked Denbighshire County Council in the past if they would be willing to take up the scheme and am again keen to see it brought in. There is a bad problem with litter here.
“It makes you wonder how anyone can entertain choosing Rhyl for a holiday, when the situation is as bad as this. Refuse collectors should be focusing on keeping the streets clean, not declining to take bags and bins which are wrongly filled or put out on the wrong day.”
Cllr Brian Blakeley, of Rhyl South East ward on Denbighshire County Council, said it was an excellent idea that should be encouraged.
He said: “There is no question that we have problems with rubbish on our streets, caused by a minority of unscrupulous individuals. It is not helped when traders put waste outside their shops early.
“If people see obvious acts of dumping rubbish, they should report the matter to Denbighshire to ensure the problem is resolved."