WORCESTER MP Mike Foster has called on council chiefs to use new powers to tackle a rubbish problem blighting a city housing estate.

Visiting the area around Teme and Avon Road in Tolladine, Mr Foster said there were signs of improvement but more needed to be done.

It comes almost a year after the city council vowed to clean up the area, plagued by piles of household waste piled up in people's gardens.

The MP said there was still evidence of the problem not being targeted properly - with mattresses and rubbish dumped in a garden at an Avon Road property.

He said there were several abandoned cars with grass growing around them that needed to be removed.

He has now written to the city council's chief executive, David Wareing, asking what is being done.

He is also calling on the council to use powers under the Cleaner Neighbourhood and Environment Act to issue fixed penalty notices to homeowners bringing down the quality of life in a neighbourhood.

Mr Foster said: "I think there's been some improvement but there is evidence that a small number of properties are bringing down the neighbourhood. It's totally unacceptable and bringing down the quality of life for those living in the area who are doing their best to keep their particular property tidy. As worthy as the clean-ups are, it's the law-abiding council tax payer who is paying for these - that can't be right and that's what the fixed penalty notices are for."

The council's blitz on rubbish was launched last September and followed complaints that nothing had been done after a similar meeting between the authority and Mr Foster in 2001.

Residents also agree more could be done. Alfred Roberts, aged 31, of Avon Road, said undergrowth could be cut back in gardens.

"It's got better, though, because there are no longer enormous piles of rubbish building up in gardens. They were attracting rats and foxes and were, frankly, an absolute disgrace and demoralising to walk past."

Mr Wareing admitted there was work to be done but said some legislation under the Act had not come into force.

"That's not to say we're not keeping the pressure on with relation to this area and we'll be having another look at it as part of a joint public services agreement with the police and county council."

Have you got a story? Call our newsdesk on 01905 742244, e-mail: wenedit@thisisworcester.co.uk, or write to: Newsdesk, Worcester News, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX.

GROTTY TOLLADINE,

What you say

Pensioner Donald Fry, aged 80, of

Avon Road.

It's improved a little but it could be better if the council stopped paying housing grants to landlords until tenants cleared up. I've got a good garden and I feel strongly about people not looking after their gardens.

Housewife Barbara Robinson, aged 37, of Avon Road.

I think it's got worse down here and there's more rubbish. The landlords really should clean up the rubbish because it makes people feel bad about their neighbourhood.

Takeaway worker Alfred Roberts, aged 31, of Avon Road.

It's got better but there's room for improvement. Some of the undergrowth wants cutting back in gardens. There's no longer enormous piles of rubbish, which was attracting rats and foxes and was a disgrace.

Cleaner Arthur Montetro, aged 37, of Avon Road.

People have washing machines and other electrical equipment and when they don't work they just dump them in the back garden but it's not just here, it's everywhere. The gardens could be cleaner, I think.