Liverpool Mayor Addresses City Centre Cleanliness Concerns

The mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, recently defended the cleanliness of the city centre during a radio call-in after a listener described it as 'really dirty'. Rotheram emphasized that significant improvements have been made since the 1990s, when travel author Bill Bryson criticized the city for its litter problem.

During his appearance on BBC Radio Merseyside, Rotheram noted that while areas like Liverpool ONE are well-maintained, some neighborhoods, such as those near Hope Street, still face challenges with overflowing bins. He acknowledged the efforts of the Liverpool City Council, which spends over £12 million annually on cleaning up litter and addressing fly-tipping.

Rotheram pointed out that individuals are ultimately responsible for littering and called for greater personal accountability among visitors. He mentioned that the council is taking steps to enforce cleanliness, including plans to increase fines for littering.