Clean up your act! (From Barry And District News)

Clean up your act!

SOME Barry residents are calling for the Vale of Glamorgan's Visible Services Department to be renamed'The Invisible Services Department' because they say they never see any workers.

The Visible Services Department is responsible, among other things, for keeping the streets of the Vale clean and tidy - but not everyone is convinced they are doing enough work in Barry.

Mrs Lockwood, of Thompson Street, said: "Recent press articles praising the Vale of Glamorgan Council for its environmental efforts in the Barry area leave me dumbfounded.

"On this estate they would only be awarded the Wooden Spoon.

"To my knowledge they have not undertaken any effective cleaning for the past year."

Another Barry resident, who lives in Coldbrook Road, accused the council of neglecting Barry in favour of other areas such as, Cowbridge, Rhoose and Llantwit Major.

He said: "Just take a look at Cadoxton old village - which is a conservation area.

"Grass is cut on the patches at the bottom of Church Road and next to the Three Bells, but is left to rot.

"The shrubbery at the bottom of Church Road is full of rubbish and the brook has a sofa in it.

"Every year the council tax goes up and the service gets worse."

Operation Manager for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Clifford Parish, reacted to the criticism by saying: "The council acknowledges that there are some areas in Barry which do have particular problems.

"The Vale is looking to target these and implement an improved cleansing service at a future date.

"Thompson Street and surrounding areas, which are the responsibility of the council, are cleaned on a regular basis.