RESIDENTS have continued to share their frustration over the “awful and dangerous” state of a pathway.
The Star reported over residents' concerns over the walkway near to Acorn Street in Newton-le-Willows - branding it as "awful and dangerous".
Long-standing issues along the underpass, including fly‑tipping, broken glass, potholes and graffiti, have sparked discussion on the Star's social media channels, with people offering a mix of criticism, personal experiences, and calls for more community responsibility.
For some, the condition of the pathway is nothing new.
Tina Thomas said:
“It's never changed from me being a kid and I'm nearly 60. The graffiti may of been updated but that's it. Never caught any harm!”
Meanwhile, others described personal experiences.
Lizzo Kirk wrote: “I fell under the underpass last week rolled my ankle on a pot hole injured my knee and ankle. Council are usually responsive to reports they do clear fly tipping. I’ve seen some people in the community litter picking on dog walks too there are people who contribute also.”
Concerns about safety were echoed by dog walkers.
Debs Matthews added: “I won't walk my dog through there because of the broken glass.”
However, some residents argued that while the council may play a role, people must also take personal responsibility.
Denise Hodkinssen wrote: “While the residents of Newton-le-Willows are right to be upset about the ‘awful and dangerous’ state of the pathway near Acorn Street, the conversation seems to be missing one vital point: the council did not place that litter or fly-tipping there.
"It is easy to point the finger at local authorities and demand they spend our tax money to clean up these ‘eyesores,’ but we must ask ourselves what has happened to basic decency and respecting where we live?
"Every piece of household waste, every dumped appliance, and every bit of graffiti was put there by an individual—often someone from within our own community.
"Fly-tipping isn't just a ‘maintenance issue’; it is a deliberate act of disrespect toward one's neighbours and the environment. When people treat their own backyard like a landfill, they aren't just creating a mess—they are draining public resources.
"Every pound spent cleaning up avoidable filth is a pound that could have been spent on improving parks, fixing potholes, or supporting local schools.
We should absolutely hold the council accountable for maintenance and infrastructure, but as a community, we also need to hold each other accountable for our behaviour.
"A clean neighbourhood starts with the people who live in it. If we want a beautiful, safe place for our children to walk to school, we have to bring back a sense of pride and stop treating our public spaces like a dumping ground.”
The debate highlights a wider issue familiar to many areas—balancing expectations of council upkeep with the need for residents to protect and respect shared spaces.
St Helens Council previously said it would investigate problems highlighted by residents and respond to specific reports through its usual channels.
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