MIDDLEWICH Clean Team has stated that their members are now giving up on trying to keep the town’s parks and play areas tidy after constant vandalism.


The Clean Team, which has been running in the town since 2003, works voluntarily to keep Middlewich looking its best, but members are now reluctant to clean play areas after becoming frustrated with the way others treat them. 


Stephen Dent, vice-chairman of the Middlewich Clean Team, said: “The Team is very disappointed that certain young people in the town are ruining play areas by dropping litter, breaking glass, writing graffiti and general vandalism.


“Many members of the Middlewich community fought long and hard to obtain improvements to these areas, particularly to the skate park on Booth Lane and the Clean Team has spent many hours over the years trying to keep these facilities litter and graffiti free.


“Some members of the Clean Team are now reluctant to include parks and play areas in their litter picks because of the lack of respect by some of the people who use them. 


“This unfortunately has an effect on those users of these facilities who do not abuse them and continued vandalism could lead to the closure of these facilities due to the cost of repairs and maintenance which comes out of the pockets of the Council Taxpayer.”


The final straw has come for the voluntary group after concerns were highlighted over the state of the Booth Lane Skate Park, which received a big-money renovation in August 2013.


Janet Chisholm, chairperson of the Middlewich Clean Team, said: “We are all responsible for the area in which we live, work, and use for recreation. 


“There were quite a number of young people in Middlewich who were instrumental in the planning of Booth Lane Skate Park, and they fought hard to obtain recognition with the likes of meetings and petitions.


“They must also feel very let down by the way that the area is now being abused by their peers. 


“It is very sad that such a lovely facility is no longer a place of pride for our young people to enjoy, but I have to say that this is now in their own hands.”