PEOPLE are finding grot spots all over Huddersfield.

Following the launch of our Clean Up The Town campaign against graffiti, litter and neglected green space, readers have been pointing out town centre problem areas.

Mrs Christine Battye, of Stile Common Road in Newsome, said she was disgusted by the state of Railway Street.

She said litter, glass, half-eaten takeaways and other junk had collected 2ft deep in a void surrounded by railings next to buildings near a bus shelter.

Mrs Battye said she and her husband Kenneth walked past the area often on the way to the bus or train stations.

She said: "It is just an absolute eyesore and it is right in the centre of Huddersfield. It is appalling. Every time I see it it makes me sick."

She said she was unsure whether the area belonged to Kirklees Council or a private owner.

But she said if the owner would not clean it, Kirklees should clear it up then trace the owner and bill them for the work.

She said: "You can't leave it like that. It could be rat-infested for all we know, it is so deep."

Dr Phil Jones, of Snowgatehead, New Mill, named his grot spot as the Piazza Shopping Centre - which he said had no litter bins.

He said the council was trying to tackle litter by providing a daytime litter picking service and more bins.

But he said the public were not helping.

"Some people are too bone idle to walk 10 yards. There is no excuse," he said.

"As members of the public, we have a duty. I have shamed a number of people into picking up litter. If everybody did this it would quickly become unacceptable.

"Less litter around means less litter dropped. Let's make Huddersfield and Kirklees an area we can be proud of."

He suggested that convicted criminals or litter offenders could be given litter picking duty for community service.

He said the litter laws should be enforced, backed up by heavy fines, and proposed that householders and takeaway outlets should be encouraged to clean up outside their premises - possibly reinforcing this with bye-laws.

Another reader even suggested that a visit to Huddersfield from the Queen could be arranged - because the town would then be smartened up.

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