Residents of an Urmston backwater plagued by dogs pooing on their gardens are pleading with housing bosses for fencing to combat the problem.
People living in Sandown Gardens are complaining that dog walkers using the narrow path in front of their homes, where there are open-plan gardens, are allowing their pets to defecate freely without picking up the mess.
Children walking or cycling to schools nearby, using the path as a shortcut, sometimes stray onto the gardens also.
Several years ago, adjacent properties fronting on to Flixton Road have had iron railings put up around their property to prevent revellers from a nearby pub from walking on the beloved gardens after closing time. Now, their neighbours want the same.
Frank and Lynda McCoy, both 75, have lived in Sandown Gardens for 12 years.
“We’ve been trying for four years to get fencing put up to stop people’s dogs from using our gardens as a toilet,” said Lynda. “Many dog walkers pick up the mess, but others don’t and it’s the bain of our lives.
“Children will also walk and cycle on our lawns. We need fencing to prevent this from happening.”
Retired secretary Lynda continued: “They put fencing up for our neighbours to stop drunk people walking on their gardens on Flixton Road. We approached the housing trust, but they say they don’t enough money to do it. It’s unfair.”
Close neighbour Jean Williams, 76, agreed.
“I have lived here for four years,” she said. “Frank and Lynda are right, we need fencing to stop the dogs ad kids straying onto the gardens. It makes sense.”
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “There’s no logical reason why they shouldn’t put fencing up. Dog poo is a health hazard, that’s a fact.”
Meanwhile, the disgruntled residents are being backed by their 'more fortunate' neighbours on Flixton Road, who have had the railings put up.
Barbara Beaumont, 79, said: “They deserve to have what we’ve got. It doesn’t make any sense to argue against it.”
Maureen Harris, 77, concurred: “I can’t believe they didn’t put fencing round all the gardens when they did ours. It really isn’t fair.”
When the Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted the residents’ ward councillor Simon Thomas, he said he understood their argument.
“I would advise the residents to get in touch with the housing trust,” he said. “If they were to write to me and tell me of their concerts I’m sure I would be sympathetic to their argument.”
And a spokesperson for Trafford Housing Trust said: “The safety and wellbeing of our customers will always be our top priority, so we have focussed our resources on improving and upgrading building and fire safety measures this year.
"Whilst introducing new fencing at any of our Trafford homes is not part of our current maintenance and home improvement programme, we will visit the area and consider whether the installation of fencing is feasible.
"If so, this request will be considered when planning future neighbourhood improvements, subject to budgets and customer consultation.”
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