A PARISH councillor has written to senior managers at a college regarding lunchtime litter caused by students.

Councillor Susanna Williams, who lives in Framwellgate Moor, near Durham, said takeaway wrappers and half eaten food is being dropped every weekday.

She believes young people who attend New College Durham nearby are responsible.

Cllr Williams said: “We have a tremendous problem in Newcastle Terrace and North Terrace, and Front Street between the play park and the medical centre, of litter dropped every college day by hundreds of students on both sides of the roads.

“The litter continues down to Greggs and the Co-op store round to the New College bus shelter by college car park entrance.

"It was gloriously free during Covid-19 lockdown. No students. No litter. No students - no bad language hanging in the air.”

Cllr Williams, a member of Framwellgate Moor Parish Council, said there were also concerns about groups of young people hanging around smoking, drinking and using cannabis.

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She said: “There are the drug users from college at lunchtimes, smoking, inhaling and littering behind Front Street in our terrace back lanes.

“Litter bins all over the place are kindly serviced daily by the county council, and students still can’t aim accurately.”

Cllr Williams is urging the college work with residents to address the problem.

Fellow parish councillor Mark Wilkes, who also sits on Durham County Council, said he has arranged for neighbourhood wardens to patrol the area regularly to educate and enforce the rules.

He said: "We will be continuing with this until we are satisfied that littering is under control."

Wardens can issue fixed penalty notices of £100, or £65 if you complete the litter awareness e-learning course, so long as it is paid within ten days.

The charge rises to £150 after ten days.

Karl Fairley, the college’s deputy chief executive said: “New College Durham is a big part of the County Durham community and we welcome the opportunity to further build and cement relationships in our immediate local community.

"We are currently working on plans to welcome the community into college and also for our students to spend more time out working with and supporting the local community.

“This includes in the very local area of Framwellgate. We have acknowledged the letter from our local parish councillor and have discussed the content within appropriate senior executive meetings.”

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