I find it a bit odd that instead being angry against the factors that are causing Blackpool to be unhealthy, so many seem angry at the reporting of the findings.
When I see how deprived certain areas of the Fylde Coast are, I don't feel glad I don't live there anymore, I feel angry that nothing is ever done to change things. And from a regional perspective, it's even more disgusting to see such an obvious north/south divide. And yet, there will be politicians who can't understand why certain demographics feel disenfranchised...
I received a letter frank stamped "House of Commons" from Scott Benton last week (I do hope many others received the same letter) regarding the general state the residential areas of South Shore have turned into. This letter was directed at Blackpool Council regarding the state the pavements are in i.e weeds growing (up to 5ft in places) broken bottles strewn all over the place, litter, dog shat etc.
All his observations were honest reflections of some areas in South Shore well away from the tourist haunts.
He was promising to inform our local council that this is not acceptable and things must change.
I do hope his words and observations carry some weight and shame this council into doing something about it.
I see all this daily when I walk the dog around my area and have twattered Blackpool council many photographs trying to embarrass them myself, but now think they have blocked my interaction with them as I don't get any replies to anything I post (so I've tried but sadly given up)
I did have a rant at Mr Benton after one walk around my area, can't now remember what I put, but it wasn't polite.
I may sound like a right moaning tw4t but I pay all my taxes (for the area I live the council tax is very high for what I get) I've worked it out that an acre of land where I live probably gains the council more tax than an acre in the "wealthy" areas due to the amount of houses present (yes if everyone had to pay full council tax)
I have lived in more affluent areas of Blackpool (wealthy areas) and I wasn't tripping over broken bottles or hacking my way through overgrown pavements while skipping over dog turds and kicking litter away, I just wanted parity for my area (not going to happen)
Some of us do care but that care turns into resentment and anger which our council are only too happy to ignore or block.
I now don't care and am moving to Cleveleys as soon as we sell. I know it's is far from utopia but it certainly can't be worse than my area of South Shore.
This was a 5am rant, apologies to anyone who it might bother.