The grim pictures that show River Sherbourne is more like a sewer

[dutchman]

Rubbish is clogging the River Sherbourne at Coundon Wedge



Litter dropped by visitors to Coundon Wedge has built up in places along the River Sherbourne which runs through the park.

A sign at the entrance says: “Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time.”

But the plea is being ignored with rubbish which could take hundreds or thousands of years to rot away if left to itself is lying in the river.

Plastic bottles, which take on average 450 years to rot and glass bottles, which are estimated to take a million years to waste away, are among litter accumulating in the waterway.



An animal feed bucket and even part of a metal security fence can also be seen.

Whenever fallen branches and sticks block part of the river the rubbish builds up.

The park, championed by the Allesley and Coundon Wedge Conservation Society, brings greenery into the city running from Coundon Wedge Drive to Holyhead Road.

Among those concerned about litterbugs are members of Facebook group the Coundon Wedge Clean Up. Members highlight littering, illicit tree felling and dog walkers who don’t clean up after their pets.

The group’s founder Matthew Batson said: “It just seems to be progressively getting worse and worse.

“There is litter and dog mess everywhere and there are fly tipping issues on part of it.

“I do despair sometimes.

“We are planning an action weekend in February when we are going to ask people to come along and give an hour or two to help clean up.”

In April this year people using the part complained about overflowing bins, rats and plastic bags clogging up the river.

Over the years Coundon Wedge has been under threat not just from rubbish but from development.

In the mid 80s a local campaign failed to prevent Coundon Wedge Drive cutting a swathe through the open space.

In 2006 campaigners reacted with fury when then Coventry City Council leader Ken Taylor suggested the land should used for housing to boost the city’s population. The proposal didn’t get any further.

[rebbonk]

Wait until the city culvert is opened up!

[dutchman]

It's not that bad where I live.