Locals have hit out at the 'unbelievably disgusting' state a south Manchester park was left in following last weekend's sun.
Visitors to Alexandra Park in Whalley Range said they were horrified by overflowing bins and rubbish scattered across the space after revellers descended to enjoy the warm weather as well as planned events in the park.
Pictures sent to the Manchester Evening News show bags filled with rubbish spilling out of overflowing bins and cans and bottles strewn across the grass, with one local saying much of the rubbish was 'dangerous' to dogs being walked in the area. Manchester City Council said they are aware of 'challenges with litter' but added that the bins had since been emptied.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
Craig Winterburn, who lives locally, said he was shocked to see the park still covered in rubbish when he took his dog for a walk on Monday morning.
"It was unbelievably disgusting," he told the M.E.N. "Leaving a park like that is absolutely unfathomable. The garbage was just piled miles high."
He added that he was concerned about the impact of the rubbish on dogs and local wildlife.
"A lot of this garbage is poisonous to dogs and potentially harmful to wildlife," he said. "The council are putting no money into it."
He told the M.E.N. he noticed novelty cups sold by the fair that was in the park over the weekend 'strewn all over the park' on Monday morning.
"The council don't seem to accomodate for the extra attendance at these events. They don't seem to think anyone is using the park in between the time that the events have finished and the time the rubbish gets picked up."
Another resident took to Twitter to voice their frustration, writing: "Please could you put bigger bins in @AlexParkMCR - it serves a densely populated area, the current bins clearly aren't fit for purpose... It was exactly the same last Monday."
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods said: "Alexandra Park was very busy over the weekend as people came into the park to enjoy the beautiful weather.
"We are aware that bins were overflowing, and we know that there are challenges with litter as lots more visitors came to the park to enjoy the spring sunshine and there were also two planned events taking place over the weekend. #
"Organisers litter picked throughout, and measures were in place to remove the bagged litter from the park. We would like to encourage residents to take their litter home, if possible, and we are also reviewing our litter bin capacity in parks.
"The bins have been emptied now and we would like to thank residents that have reported this issue to the council."
To report an overflowing bin please visit: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/100006/environmental_problems/5319/street_cleaning/2
READ NEXT:
- "No f****** about": The words of a cocaine dealer came back to haunt him
- Man and woman bailed after dad-of-five Jonathan Hogg fatally mauled by 'out of control' dog
- Broken glasses and a blood splattered door as woman rushed to hospital with serious injuries after violent assault
- Man arrested after assaulting emergency worker at bus station
- "We are sitting ducks for future attacks": Manager's heartbreak after Gay Village shop Clonezone has windows smashed in latest incident
