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Waterways rubbish complaint leads to council action and volunteer pledge
Karl Poundall is looking to set up a campaign to clean up the Venetian Waterways in Yarmouth.Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher
When Karl Poundall saw how a Great Yarmouth seafront attraction was being blighted by rubbish he decided to take action as an eco-warrior instead of just moaning about the problem.
Litter in the Venetian Waterways, Yarmouth.Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher
Mr Poundall demanded action after he saw how parts of the Venetian Waterways and Boating Lake were becoming filled with floating plastic rubbish that could pose a risk to ducks and other birds that live there.
The offshore worker, aged 47, videoed the rubbish and then called on the council to clean it up and also suggested forming a volunteer group to pick up the rubbish.
And Mr Poundall’s strong environmental call has led to praise from the council and a chance for him to take part in a volunteer-led project linked to a £2.7m major refurbishment of the Waterways due to start in the spring.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council has now arranged through its contractors GYB Services to remove the rubbish and Mr Poundall has been put in touch with Waterways project co-ordinator Alison Hall about becoming a volunteer.
A duck swims past some of the rubbish in the Waterways.Picture: Karl Poundall - Credit: Archant
Mr Poundall, who lives in Caister Road and walks his three dogs daily along the Waterways, said: “It breaks my heart to see the rubbish in the water. I have seen ducks physically feed in the same area as it. “There is no excuse for people to leave their rubbish there.”
In a statement, the council said: “We have thanked Mr Poundall for reporting the waste, which GYB Services Ltd, our operational partner, will clear away.
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“During the winter, GYB Services Ltd still removes floating waste at the Waterways and empties bins on a routine basis, and will respond to reports between its scheduled visits.
“Community involvement is central to the restoration of the Waterways and Boating Lake, and the council is actively seeking volunteers to undertake a range of exciting roles from this spring, including gardening, research, thatching and carpentry.
There will also be opportunities for volunteers to be involved in the ongoing maintenance of the park.
“We are pleased to hear Mr Poundall is interested in volunteering and he has been put in touch with our project coordinator Alison Hall.”
To become a volunteer visit www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/waterwaysproject-volunteer
