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Chewing Gum blights work to create vibrant centre
HUNDREDS of sticky pieces of discarded chewing gum are blighting multi-million pound works to transform the heart of Peterborough city centre into a vibrant piazza.
HUNDREDS of sticky pieces of discarded chewing gum are blighting multi-million pound works to transform the heart of Peterborough city centre into a vibrant piazza.A snap count by Evening Telegraph reporters found more than 400 pieces of chewed gum trodden into the newly laid clean and bright pavements around Cathedral Square, just months after they were laid.
And that figure included 186 spotted while skimming the pavements in a short walk from Barclays to HMV, 167 white and black blobs along the new paving blocks from Donald and Aitchison to McDonald's and at least 50 on the square in front of the Guild Hall.
Now a city councillor is calling on residents to take a pride in their city and do all they can to keep it clean and tidy.
The new paving blocks recently laid across Cathedral Square are part of a 6 million makeover.
Since April last year, the city centre has been crowded with hoardings with shoppers and traders finding it hard to navigate fencing and dodge the flow of construction vehicles.
What do you think about the gum menace? How can it be stopped?
Comment below, email us: news@ peterboroughtoday.co.uk or write us a letter now.
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But now with the end of the work to create a modern city with sparkling fountains, new street furniture, colourful lighting and bright open spaces in sight, city centre councillor Nazim Khan is calling on the people of Peterborough to take pride in their city.
He said: "We have spent millions of pounds on upgrading the centre of Peterborough, but what is the point if we are just going to leave it to deteriorate?
"The people of Peterborough should be looking after the city for themselves. After all it is their home and they should take pride in it.
"We have to ask ourselves what sort of impression our dirty pavements are giving visitors to the city.
"How are we going to attract new people and businesses to Peterborough when we don't even look after it ourselves.
"The council should also be cracking down on those who throw their chewing gum on the floor.
"A campaign needs to be drawn up to raise awareness of the issue and street wardens need to be tougher and start fining those flouting the littering laws.
"Once finished, the Cathedral Square will provide a much-needed tranquil open space for people to escape the hustle and bustle and relax. People should act now and keep our city clean."
The council's head of strategic property, Andrew Edwards, who is overseeing the regeneration works, said the stone on the square is coated with a special sealant which makes the removal of gum easier.
He said: "We are aware of the chewing gum deposits on Cathedral Square, and it seems particularly bad around the entrance to Queensgate."Chewing gum is the curse of modern cities and it is a shame that people have to drop it.
"We intend to give the site a full and thorough clean once work has finished on the square, however our City Services staff regularly clean through the pedestrian area of the city.".
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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