South Wales Evening Post - 14 September 2006
Swansea's landmark Castle Square has been branded a filthy mess. Critics say they are angry over continuing problems with skateboarders and bike riders using stonework to perform flicks and tricks close to startled passersby.
City centre visitors are also unhappy about the area being used as a personal beer garden for down and outs, who intimidate others with their drunken behaviour.
It often results in discarded beer cans and bottles being left strewn across the square.Last weekend saw it filled with scores of bottles, crates and rotting vegetables. Pedestrians said it left the city centre looking filthy and second rate.
The moans have come just days after the council heralded a big clean up for Swansea. It intends sending in teams of super-quick cleaners to tidy up blackspots.
But city centre worker Ian James, aged 45, of Uplands, said the state of the fountain last weekend "had to be seen to be believed".
He said: "It was a right mess. The fountain was full of litter and looked awful.
"There were also young boys flying about doing stunts and things, it was all very off-putting.
"Castle Square used to be a place for people to enjoy a quiet moment in the city centre. Now it is a gathering point for all kinds of anti-social behaviour.
"Where are the city centre rangers in all this?"Pedestrian Helen Taylor, of Bonymaen, said she had been in the city centre with visitors. She added: " I was ashamed when we came across Castle Square.
"I know it is the public who leave this mess and not the council but why is nothing done about it quickly?''
Swansea Council has insisted it is doing all it can to tackle problems in the area.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said yesterday: "The ranger on duty on Sunday did not report any unusual or unruly behaviour in Castle Square.
"There are signs in place to advise that skateboarding is prohibited in the square, if these are ignored the rangers or the police advise them to move on.
"The fountain in Castle Square is a unique feature in the city centre. It is for the benefit of the community and visitors and is cleaned frequently.
"In spite of this, there is a minority of people which sees fit to discard rubbish into it.
"We would urge all members of the public to dispose of any litter responsibly."
