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Traders set to take weed problem into their own hands
TRADERS are set to get out their gardening tools to remove an eyesore from the streets of Whitley Bay.
Business owners in the town are angry at the number of weeds growing in the streets, and the height and density they are reaching.
Officials from North Tyneside Council have been out with weed killer in an attempt to kill some weeds.
But now members of Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade have become so disheartened that they are to take matters into their own hand – literally.
A group of them will hit the streets next Sunday (July 19) to remove the weeds.
Chamber chairman Bill Midgley, who will be among those removing the weeds, said: "I have not heard anything from the council about what they will do.
"They have been out with weed killer but what they are not doing is removing the weeds.
"What we could end up with is dead weeds on our streets instead of the green weeds we currently have.
"The weeds need to be pulled up and removed. In parts of the town it looks awful. It just destroys the image of the town.
"I just want the council to do it. In my view, it's their responsibility. This is public realm work, that is why individuals pay council tax and businesses pay business rates."
Traders are angry that flowers are growing in other parts of the region, put in by the various councils, yet Whitley Bay has weeds growing.
A spokesperson for North Tyneside Council said: "North Tyneside Council is committed to improving the environment for our residents and only recently this was recognised nationally when the authority was awarded four out of five stars in the Clean Britain Awards.
Our latest weed control treatment programme was completed at the end of June, and is starting to take effect. However, manual removal of weeds will also be taking place in some of the weed hotspots across the borough over the next few weeks. This will include Whitley Bay.
"Residents and businesses can also get involved in joint clean ups with the council in their area by contacting Envirolink on 0845 2000 103 "
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Weather for Whitley Bay
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -0 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
