Council pledges clean-up after town's beauty spot branded 'disgrace'

ADDITIONAL litter bins and picks have been pledged for a New Milton lake after one resident claimed the site had become a “disgrace” in recent weeks.

New Milton Town Council has also said it will erect an information board at Ballard Lakes that will feature a sign stipulating a ban on fishing.

There have been several complaints online about the state of the site, which has seen an increased number of visitor thanks to the nice weather, the end of school exams and the opening of a new play area.

One, Esther Kingston, said: “It's a disgrace. There are plastic bottles and all the rubbish that people just toss in the lake, giving no thought to the creatures who live under the water.”

She also reported seeing six people fishing in the lake at one time, adding that previous signs banning the activity had been taken down. “So council, please try and spare a few hours for this lake and tidy it up,” she added.

Responding, New Milton town clerk Graham Flexman sought to give assurances. “We are installing some additional rubbish bins and increasing litter picks around the lake,” he said.

“We are also proposing to install a relevant information board about the lake which will also incorporate a ‘no fishing’ sign.

“Further improvements around the lake are being looked at; this follows the Green Way footpath initiative which has improved walking routes around the lake.”

He added the council is trying to help install a pedestrian crossing on Fernhill Lane, New Milton, as part of a wider project to connect Ballard Lake with Brook/Barr Avenue.

The water in the lake is also looking murkier than usual, and the council has attributed this to the current lack of rainfall, meaning little run-off water is entering the lake.