Broken glass and a soiled duvet are just some of the issues Ludlow Town Council has had to deal with as it continues to monitor waste and litter being left around.
The problem is particularly prevalent on market days, meaning that the area in and around Castle Square is regularly checked by council staff.
Provisions are in place for the collection of both litter and waste in the market area. There are two post-mounted litter bins, which are owned and emptied by Shropshire Council.
A further four floor-mounted and two post-mounted bins are also in nearby locations such as Event Square and Peace Memorial.
Council cleaning staff litter pick the area daily between 6pm and 7pm, while waste disposal provision is provided for all market traders in the form of large 1,100 litre trade bins which are located in Castle Street car park.
But after concerns were raised, staff have been monitoring the area to ascertain the level of the problem.
In her report to the services committee, deputy town clerk, Kate Adams gave a breakdown of inspections that took place between April 15 and June 1.
During a 9am inspection on Sunday, April 26, broken glass and a soiled duvet was found by inspectors.
The Castle Street car park bin area has also been regularly inspected, with broken glass being found at 8am on two Monday mornings, while Bank Holiday Monday, May 25, brought bins full of cardboard, with traders encouraged to recycle.
Overflowing bins also seemed to cause an issue in the market area between May 29 and 30.
The bins were not emptied by Shropshire Council on May 29, according to the report, meaning that Ludlow Town Council did it instead.
Shropshire Council officers arrived at 12.15pm, however an inspection that was carried out at 8am the following day said that bins around the market were overflowing and there was a “no show” by Shropshire Council.
Ludlow Town Council again emptied the bins, said the report.
Ms Adams’ report also said that Shropshire Council was contacted to request more litter bins in the market area.
But, she said, the unitary authority said that all of its routes were optimised and were unable to add any new bins due to being at full capacity.
“If you were to add any new bins, they would need to be supplied and emptied by yourselves,” Shropshire Council reportedly said.
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