Archived Topic
Topic ID 3041
25/08/2007 by Pez
Lea and other rivers
Whilst taking a stroll in this summer's all-to-rare sunshine I paused on the bridge into Folly Island by The Old Barge just to admire the view. With the sun shining down into the water it struck me how clean the rivers are these days - you can see right through to the bottom..
And that's the problem - what a mess!
Just in the few feet in front of one side of the bridge I counted SEVEN shopping trolleys, four traffic cones, and loads of other metallic objects of indeterminate origin - possibly bicycle frames. (Heaven knows how much broken glass might be in there, being so close to the pub)
I had half a mind to jump in and attempt to clean it up there and then, the water doesn't look particularly deep.. But it did then make me wonder if any operations to clear up the rivers of such rubbish are ever done, either officially (by the district or town council?), or unofficially by those who are bothered by it, and if in either case there are other volunteers accepted?
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 43841
25/08/2007 by Marilyn
quote:
Originally posted by Pez
Whilst taking a stroll in this summer's all-to-rare sunshine I paused on the bridge into Folly Island by The Old Barge just to admire the view. With the sun shining down into the water it struck me how clean the rivers are these days - you can see right through to the bottom..
And that's the problem - what a mess!
Just in the few feet in front of one side of the bridge I counted SEVEN shopping trolleys, four traffic cones, and loads of other metallic objects of indeterminate origin - possibly bicycle frames. (Heaven knows how much broken glass might be in there, being so close to the pub)
I had half a mind to jump in and attempt to clean it up there and then, the water doesn't look particularly deep.. But it did then make me wonder if any operations to clear up the rivers of such rubbish are ever done, either officially (by the district or town council?), or unofficially by those who are bothered by it, and if in either case there are other volunteers accepted?
I seem to remember readin in the Mercury last year during the drought someone removed a shopping trolley from the river by the Castle having asked the gardeners and in the Castle and none took reponsibility.............probaly a case of everyone thinks someone should do it but noone does
Reply ID 43848
25/08/2007 by Ray_by_the_Beane
I once reported a supermarket trolley in the Beane to the Environemnt Agency. Eventually it was removed.
Reply ID 43867
26/08/2007 by furrybunny
Why cannot Waitrose, Tesco's etc. trollies use the system that Morrisons adopt? depositing a £1 coin for a trolly, then people would not be so free and easy about abandoning these poor little mights!
Reply ID 43871
26/08/2007 by James007
You think a quid will deter them?
Reply ID 43872
26/08/2007 by JohnSmith
A quid for a shopping trolley is good value.
Reply ID 43907
28/08/2007 by nuts
I must admit, I have seen kids throw them in at that (well I didn't see, but I heard them do it after I hold told them not to and they ran off around the corner to do it!! - couldn't catch them to throw them in as well!!).
Two points from the original post - (i) Why these supermarkets don't use either the pound deposit or lockable wheels? Waitrose send a lad onto the Island to get them but they still end up in the river!! (Similarly, didn't MacDonalds in various areas instruct restaurants to take responsibility for local litter and send staff out picking up?)
(ii) Relevant to the original point, is there no tidy up/look after/community group for either the River or Hertford in general? (I'd sign up to help on the River!)
Reply ID 43908
28/08/2007 by Ewoowar
I noticed the trolleys at this location just last weekend. One is almost close enough to the edge to be reached and pulled out.
My thoughts on te matter were to inform Waitrose and get them to remove the trolleys. At the Folley Island bridge I would expect most trolleys to be from Waitrose.
Reply ID 43909
28/08/2007 by sloopjohnb
quote:
is there no tidy up/look after/community group for either the River or Hertford in general? (I'd sign up to help on the River!)
The last group I used were all on Community Service so don't think that applies. However, the local branch of the Lea & Stort Boat Club do organise a clean up every so often using their own craft. I can put you in touch with one or two but they are currently on holiday.
Reply ID 43912
28/08/2007 by Capitalist piglet
It cou;d be just crayfish fishing.......?
Reply ID 43913
28/08/2007 by Deveraux
quote:
Originally posted by Capitalist piglet
It cou;d be just crayfish fishing.......?
I've never seen a Crayfish Fish???
Reply ID 43915
28/08/2007 by Leo Densian
quote:
Originally posted by furrybunny
Why cannot Waitrose, Tesco's etc. trollies use the system that Morrisons adopt? depositing a £1 coin for a trolly, then people would not be so free and easy about abandoning these poor little mights!
Or just install the available technology that makes the trolley wheels lock up when you get a certain distance from the store, as employed in Tesco Stevenage and others.
Reply ID 43917
28/08/2007 by Ewoowar
quote:
Originally posted by Capitalist piglet
It cou;d be just crayfish fishing.......?
When I was last at Folly Island bridge I was talking to a man who was fishing for Crayfish. He had to stop when his line became tangled in a Waitrose trolley.
Reply ID 43918
28/08/2007 by Tigger
quote:
Originally posted by Deveraux
quote:
Originally posted by Capitalist piglet
It cou;d be just crayfish fishing.......?
I've never seen a Crayfish Fish???
Hang a piece of Bacon on the end on some string - plonk into River and all will become apparent............................
Reply ID 43919
29/08/2007 by shunt
Nasty American crayfish, which have invaded our river and killed all the natives. Oh well, that's Americans for you.
Reply ID 43928
29/08/2007 by Ewoowar
I received the following response from Waitrose customer services.....
"I have take the opportunity to speak with David Martin, the Branch Manager of Hertford about this matter. He has assured me that all reasonable efforts are being made to retrieve the abandoned trolleys you mentioned as quickly as possible."
Reply ID 43938
29/08/2007 by James007
quote:
Originally posted by Deveraux
quote:
Originally posted by Capitalist piglet
It cou;d be just crayfish fishing.......?
I've never seen a Crayfish Fish???
I got it Dev [:D]
Reply ID 43963
30/08/2007 by nuts
Sloop
Yes please if you let me have their details I will email them direct.
On an unrelated note, I wouldn't mind picking your brains off-forum as I am looking for some info/advice if thats ok?
Many thanks
Reply ID 43972
30/08/2007 by sloopjohnb
Hi nuts; just sent you an email. Details included.
Reply ID 44162
05/09/2007 by sloopjohnb
You'll all be interested to know that the dredger was on the Lea today outside the Barge. It looked like Tesco's just edged the Most Dumped Trolley Cup from a determined effort from Waitrose. Coming in on the rails was a builders wheelbarrow.
Reply ID 44164
05/09/2007 by Arty
quote:
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
You'll all be interested to know that the dredger was on the Lea today outside the Barge. It looked like Tesco's just edged the Most Dumped Trolley Cup from a determined effort from Waitrose. Coming in on the rails was a builders wheelbarrow.
Wot? no skeleton of the Wild Beast of Hertford?
20 replies