Move to declare war on dog fouling by transferring wardens away parking enforcement

Move to declare war on dog fouling by transferring wardens away parking enforcement

A resort councillor has declared war on dog fouling across Southport and called for wardens to be transferred away from parking enforcement to help tackle the problem.

Cllr David Barton, a leading campaigner for the restoration and regeneration of the town, revealed that Sefton has only three patrol wardens dedicated to dealing with the problem across the borough.

He said the problem was increasing across Southport, particularly as the lighter nights encouraged dog walkers to exercise their pets for longer each day.

Cllr Barton, who represents Dukes Ward on Sefton Council, said increasing the number of dog fouling patrols would raise valuable revenue and reduce the strain on motorists who have expressed their concerns on the ‘zero tolerance’ approach to highway enforcement in the area.

He has already asked NSL the contractor working for Sefton Council, to visit the skateboard park on a weekly basis in addition to other known dog fouling hotspots such as Hawkshead Street, Lord Street and Lancaster Road.

He also called for the establishment of a volunteer network to help catch offenders and an increase in educational material to help persuade dog owners to tidy up their animal’s mess.

Cllr Barton said: “I have raised this continually, especially since learning that only three patrol wardens operate across the whole of the borough – one permanently on a day shift and the remaining two on a rota for the afternoon and evening

“I would welcome a move to transfer a number of car parking wardens into additional dog fouling wardens  as this would not only generate much needed revenue, keeping the local environment cleaner and more attractive for local residents, businesses and potential investors, but would reduce the strain presented on motorists who have expressed their concerns on highway enforcement within the Southport area.

“Educational programmes are no longer delivered by Sefton Council due to la ack of funding and staff, however I am pressing for additional support materials and am happy to speak to different organisations as part of my ongoing role supporting the community.

“I feel that we should also establish a volunteer network, encouraging residents and businesses to stay vigilant noting dates, times and descriptions of suspected individuals to discourage anyone from contravening law and spoiling the local landscape.

“Other councils have trialled different measures to address this long-standing issue and I would encourage people to be ever responsible when coming forward with information if there is to be a real significant impact to benefit everyone.

“I have personally received many individual complaints regarding dog fouling across Southport which has included people throwing their fouling bags into other people’s gardens under the impression they are vacant at Hawkshead Street and Oxford Road.”

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