Swansea Council has enlisted the help of a local angling club to help tackle an ongoing litter problem at a well-known beauty spot.
Residents have been in touch with the council after finding bottles, empty cans and other items gathering in the water and along the footpath surrounding Fendrod Lake.
Council-litter crews have since visited the site to carry out litter clearance but require assistance to collect litter in the water.
Members of Brynmill and District Angling Club have now come forward to offer their help to the council to retrieve the litter.
Carl Tonner, Secretary and Treasurer of Brynmill and District Angling Club, said: “We’re always dismayed by the amount of litter left behind by the general public. Our bailiffs will issue written warnings if any litter is left around fishing platforms.
“The lake is a success story as it illustrates the regeneration of a landscape that fifty years ago was almost totally polluted by the various metal industries in the area. The angling club hopes that the lake and surroundings will not regress through human carelessness and indifference.”
David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation, said: “Fendrod Lake is a well visited site for both families and people using the lake for fishing.
“Our litter teams regularly visit the location to collect litter but it’s not so easy to retrieve litter which has made its way into the water.
“The local angling club have shown their support by offering wade into the lake and help us collect the litter.
“We are extremely grateful for their efforts as they also know how well used the lake is and like us, want the area kept clean.
“It’s a shame that the minority of selfish individuals who go to the lake fail to leave it in the condition they find it in when they arrive.”
A litter enforcement team has previously been recruited by the council to patrol public areas and hand out fixed penalties to anyone caught throwing litter on the ground.
Cllr Hopkins added: “The litter enforcement team is having a lot of success, especially in our city centre, in terms of getting people to change their habits and use litter bins provided.
“We will be organising enforcement patrols for Fendrod lake and other parks in the city to encourage visitors to keep these places litter free.”
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