RESIDENTS of a Southampton estate say they are “fed up” after years of “disgusting” rubbish, faeces and drug needles littering their streets.
Those living in Mandela Way have spoken out about piles of rubbish strewn across the estate.
In one area, behind a row of garages, drug needles and even human faeces have been found.
READ MORE: City council hands over 6,000 fines to litterbugs since 2020
Donna Clayton, 59, said she has been emailing the council for months with photos and videos but litter has not been cleared away.
“I’m fed up with it. They keep making excuses. It is the needles and the human poo.
“We’re trying to make this estate look nice. They need to put a six-foot fence up. They’re just not interested.”
A metal fence has been placed behind the garages but residents say the problem has only got worse since, with people pushing it out of the way.
Litter at Mandela Way, Southampton. (Image: Newsquest)
A 42-year-old resident added: “All the drug addicts come up there. There’s people passing through it to go to the toilet.
“You also get people meeting them there to sell the drugs. It is disgusting. It is just horrible.
“People do phone the police and they do come up but it all starts again.
“They just drive around as a deterrent. I hate it.”
Litter at Mandela Way, Southampton. (Image: Newsquest)
Another resident said: “The council has let this estate go to pot. They don’t clean up.
“The estate does get left behind. They only do it when elections are coming up.”
She added that she is constantly having to clear the path and her garden of leaves and other items.
Southampton City Council said it takes reports of anti-social behaviour “seriously” adding that its city welfare wardens “actively target the root causes of this behaviour”.
Litter at Mandela Way, Southampton. (Image: Newsquest)
A spokesperson said: “Reports of litter at Mandela Way have been received and are currently being investigated.
“Drug-related litter is an issue of concern in Southampton, like most cities.
“Due to the effective and proactive work of services delivered by the council our city is cleaner from such litter than comparable areas.
“Recommended approaches to tackling drug-related litter are already being implemented in Southampton, including street cleansing and the prompt removal of such litter, needle exchange services, substance misuse treatment services and effectively sharing information with partners.”
Littering can be reported via the council website.
The council says anyone who is concerned by drugs or alcohol, can contact the following support services:
- Young People aged 24 years or under - DASH (No Limits), 023 80 224 224, advice@nolimitshelp.org.uk
- Adults aged 25 years and over - Change Grow Live, 023 80 71 71 71, southampton@cgl.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel