In North Street, Rochford, I was stopped by an American couple with two small children who asked for Market Square. They were studying a book of Rochford and were fascinated by North, South, East and West Streets crossing over, as they had not seen this layout before.

The children knelt down to say hello to my dog and mum told them to get off their knees as the road was “disgustingly filthy”.

We were outside the old post office, and I had to admit the pavement was a disgrace. The father said the streets of New York were not as bad, and he wondered why some of the out-of-work youngsters couldn’t get a hose and wash the pavement down, as they do in America.

I saw council workers hosing a section of the square and asked them if other roads were ever cleaned, but I was told not.

Maybe council officers never walk around the area to notice how filthy the streets are. In five minutes I counted 186 bags, food containers, cans, bottles, glasses, cigarette packets, broken glass, half eaten food, just plain rubbish scattered along Roche Close.

What lovely photos to take back to America.

The book says: “Rochford has a cheerful and pleasant appearance and has been subject to enhancement works to ensure the area is a safe and attractive place to live, shop and work in.”

You can get the book from the council offices, two minutes away from the filthy streets.

B Holmes
Roche Close
Rochford