Hackney: Residents criticise plans to cut litter collections in parks

London Fields User Group (LFUG) warned London Fields gets "especially bad" litter problems

Plans to reduce litter collections across Hackney's parks will leave them "unsanitary and unpleasant" a residents' group has warned.

Hackney Council wants to cut litter collections in 58 of its parks to help plug a £57m budget deficit.

London Fields User Group (LFUG) also said its litter pick volunteers "would not fill the gap left by the council".

Mayor Caroline Woodley said it was "only responsible" to consider options that protect services such as housing.

A savings document has said that if the proposals are adopted, the borough would still have 58 parks and green spaces for residents to use but "just at a reduced quality/standard".

While the savings document said the proposal would save the council £70,000 in 2024-25, the authority has yet to confirm the exact figure.

The plans involve reducing evening litter collections in summer but daily morning collections would continue.

• Black hole in town hall budgets rises to £5bn

LFUG chairman Kevin Flemen warned rubbish and litter at London Fields park near Broadway Market would worsen, especially if the market is extended to Fridays.

He said the park's litter problems were "especially bad", with bottles and takeaway food packaging ending up in the park.

"The council isn't managing litter brilliantly, and [the thought of] it getting worse fills me with horror," he added.

Mr Flemen explained that in the height of summer, extra metal bins put out by the council were often not enough for all the litter.

He said if the rubbish overflows, London Fields can suffer "awful" animal raiding.

Mr Flemen said in the height of summer, extra metal bins put out by the council were often not enough for the rubbish

The council said it was committed to upholding Hackney's reputation for having "some of London's best maintained parks".

It said stopping seasonal bedding planting was a commitment in the parks and green spaces strategy.

The council added that it would continue to sow wildflower meadows across its parks and green, which is something that LFUG volunteers also do.

"We are spending £16m managing and maintaining Hackney's parks and leisure centres over the next three years, including £1.7m on continuing to upgrade park play areas," she added.

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