Tidy Our Town: Resident condemns ‘unimaginable’ litter and fly tips as she hopes for 2026 improvement
A resident has condemned the “unimaginable” state of her area, which is covered in litter and fly tips, and hopes for vast improvements to be made in 2026.
Helene Kluger-Langer, who has been a regular contributor to the Tidy Our Town campaign throughout this year, has lived in Vernon Walk for more than 40 years.
She previously shared with the Chronicle & Echo that she is ashamed of where she lives, is discouraged from inviting loved ones to her home, and that the issue has caused a number of neighbours to move away over the years.
In a final story for 2025, things are sadly not looking up for Helene as we approach the New Year and she believes drastic change is needed moving forward.
Helene lives in close proximity to Wellingborough Road and although she believes this busy street is much better than it was, the resident says the side roads have seen no improvement.
“It is very depressing that, again, I don’t feel I can invite friends,” said Helene. “I feel so ashamed. The estate is getting worse and worse.”
The Northants Litter Wombles occasionally visit the area, who Helene described as “incredible”, and said even they are horrified at the amount of never-ending rubbish that appears time and time again.
Helene has befriended a woman who walks her dog around the area and she shared her negative perception of the streets, which added to the resident’s negative mindset at the moment.
“Have respect for where people live,” said Helene, when asked what message she would like to send to people who think it is okay to litter and fly tip. “People don’t respect this area. They aren’t from here and don’t care.”
Helene is a regular attendee of residents’ meetings and explained they tend to go round in circles as to what the answer is to make a positive difference.
“Perhaps we ought to have people regularly inspecting or regular clean ups, not necessarily by the Wombles,” said Helene. “We pay our council tax for this very reason. I don’t know what the answer is to be quite honest. It’s very frustrating.”
Optimistically looking to the future, Helene suggested that a litter warden be reinstated, a weekly clean organised, and the encouragement of fly tips being reported during this time.
If you would like to get involved in the Tidy Our Town campaign, established in collaboration with the Northants Litter Wombles, email [email protected].