A FURIOUS Warndon councillor has lambasted the ‘appalling’ delays in tackling anti-social behaviour and vandalism at the area’s library and called on County Hall to ‘stop dragging its feet’.
Coun Jill Desayrah hit out at the Conservative administration running Worcestershire County Council for the lack of progress to put in new security railings around the often-targeted site.
Installation of security fencing for the library on Carnforth Drive has been stuck in the planning stage for over a year according to Coun Desayrah – though Conservative cabinet chiefs have said the council is continuing to work with West Mercia Police to tackle the issue.
Coun Desayrah said residents in the nearby area, particularly Gamekeepers Drive, had been plagued by instances of anti-social behaviour, including noise, vandalism, and even trespassing on the library roof.
“It is not acceptable residents are being forced to wait for the Tory-led County Council to deliver this project,” she said.
“Anti-social behaviour is a blight on the lives of residents in the area, and the cost of repairs to an important community building are mounting up.
“This appalling situation has been going on for well over a year now – why are we still waiting?”
“We are now well into the summer holiday period, when good weather and school closures will likely make the issue even worse.
“Twelve years of Conservative cuts to youth services and police numbers are coming home to roost, and it is Warndon residents bearing the brunt, in the form of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour, which continues with apparently no end in sight.”
“We are sick of seeing our community ignored by a Conservative-led County Council that, it seems, can easily find funds and enthusiasm for Tory vanity projects, but is happy to neglect a working-class area like Warndon.
“Warndon residents shouldn’t have to put up with it, and as their councillor, I don’t intend to either,” she added.
Coun Marcus Hart, cabinet member for communities, said work to increase security was ongoing but revealed the height of the fence required meant a planning application needed to submitted.
“The application will be submitted as soon as possible and we are continuing to work with the police to keep this site safe and improve the facilities for local residents,” he said.
