Several residents have raised their concerns with the Ross Gazette this week regarding the overflowing litter bins in Ross-on-Wye town centre.

Ross Town Council also confirmed that they had received several complaints following the Bank Holiday weekend.

However, they have confirmed that the bins in Broad Street, and several others in the town centre are the responsibility of Herefordshire Council, not the Town Council.

The litter bins in Broad Street were emptied on Wednesday, August 30th and Herefordshire Council confirmed that Balfour Beatty empty the bins regularly.

The Ross Gazette asked Herefordshire Council if there are any plans to clean the bin in Broad Street, close to the junction with New Street, and the area around it, as it is covered in cigarette butts. The bin was already full just a couple of days after being emptied.

A spokesperson for Ross Town Council told the Ross Gazette that the Balfour Beatty operative who normally works cleaning bins in Ross-on-Wye has been on holiday and a replacement has been covering the area in addition to other areas.

Former Councillor Joyce Thomas told the Ross Gazette that she raised the issue of the cleanliness of the streets in Ross at the meeting of the Policy and Management Committee at the Town Council, at their meeting on Monday, September 4th.

She had written a letter, which is published in this week’s Ross Gazette on page 10, but was able to present her views in person.

She said that she had seen how hard the two Town Council employees work keeping the town clean, but she asked the Council if an additional member of staff could be employed solely to keep the streets free of litter and clean.

The committee noted Mrs Thomas’ views and the item will be placed on the agenda for the full Town Council to discuss on Monday, September 11th.