Coun Roger Pierce looks at the rubbish in Tang Hall Beck, near James Street, York

COUNCIL bosses have been called on to clean up their act amid claims the city's residents come second best to tourists.

City of York councillor Roger Pierce, who represents the Hull Road ward, has criticised the council for failing to keep the city's becks in good condition.

He said parts of Osbaldwick and Tang Hall Beck had become eyesores after being overrun by floating rubbish, including bottles, plastic bags and cans.

Coun Pierce also accused the council of neglecting residential areas in favour of more public areas, visited by tourists.

He said: "It seems as if we have a double standard. Cleaning the city centre is a continual operation, but areas which are not so much in the public eye are overlooked.

"York has so many fine little becks, but the state they are in at the moment is really quite appalling.

"Residents have complained about it to me and I think the council has got to bite the bullet and do something about it.

"There doesn't seem to be a solution other than going along and clearing it up and it needs to be done as often as it takes."

He said particular hotspots were Osbaldwick Beck, where it runs through Hull Road Park, and Tang Hall Beck, near James Street.

"The tourists don't go that way unless they're lost, and I think that's why it's neglected," he said.

"The councils need a systematic regime in place to constantly clear the various becks within York of rubbish.

"It is allowed to stay there for far too long and it is not nice for the pedestrians and cyclists who pass that way."

A spokesperson for City of York Council, which is responsible for the condition of those becks that run through council-owned land, said the local authority took its responsibilities very seriously.

She said: "We look at the becks and try to ensure that they are cleaned up on a regular basis.

"The beck which runs through Hull Road Park has been recently cleaned and we are looking into the other areas to see what the situation is there."

4:12pm today