Helen Kiddy, the Association of Ross Traders street officer for Gloucester Road intends to start a petition to try to pursuade Herefordshire Council to take action about the state of the former electricity board showroom. Several residents have written or spoken to the Ross Gazette about the condition of the building in Gloucester Road and demanded that it is cleaned up.

Councillor Joyce Davis also expressed her concerns about the building at the recent meeting of the Town council on Monday, January 9th. She said that it is infested with rats and access has been gained by unauthorised people. PC Paul Challenger, who also attended the meeting, said that he would monitor the building.

Residents are particularly concerned because the building is between a food outlet and a pet shop. They want to know who is responsible for it as they say it must be a health and safety issue.

One said?"About five months ago work started gutting the building which now resembles a bombsite. Just a shell remains with windows blowing open and it has become a huge pigeon loft".

The rear of the premises is overlooked by several properties, including the former Walter Scott School, and a resident of one of the nearby flats said:?"This is a huge embarrassment for me and for Ross."

One suggestion was made that Ross should be twinned with Hamlin in Germany as the Pied Piper would have a field day.

The Ross Gazette asked Herefordshire Council who is responsible for the property and if the Council is intending to take any action to ensure it is made clean and safe. The Council had not replied when we went to press on Tuesday.