CONCERNS have been raised over an ‘eyesore’ that is ‘spoiling the entrance to a town’.

Deeside resident Mike Lewis said something urgently needs to be done to repair to broken garages near Mold Road in Connah’s Quay that are filled with rubbish.

He told the Leader: “I drive past it every day and I’ve always said to myself why is nothing being done to these garages. There are all sorts of rubbish in them - from duvets and no doubt drug paraphernalia. It’s not just an eye sore, it’s a health hazard.

“They are shockingly bad inside. When the Olympic torch came to Connah’s Quay, everywhere was spruced up, it was great.

“It’s the first thing you see when you come into the town from Mold, these horrible garages.

“I’m quite happy to lead a volunteer group to clear it out. The rubbish needs to be cleared but after that whether we keep the garages and put new doors on or knock them down. They aren’t being used at the moment.”

Mr Lewis said he is a ‘firm believer’ in regeneration and believes these garages, once cleared and decontaminated, will be used once again.

He added: “Once one person dumps, other people go and do it and it goes on and on and it gets so bad that no-one uses it anymore.

“People aren’t using them but once they have been cleaned up and decontaminated it’s great for everyone. I’m happy to clean it with the help from the council.

“Connah’s Quay is an up and coming area with the new houses being built at the top of Mold Road and the Morrisons and Quay Shopping Centre doing really well.

“That's why it's a shame that this small area is spoiling the entrance into Connah’s Quay when we should we making a positive statement when people drive from Mold and Northop into the town.”

Many residents have expressed their concerns over the eyesore which is ‘ruining’ the town.

Cllr Ian Dunbar said he has taken this up with Flintshire County Council to see what can be done, but their hands are tied due to them being privately owned.

He said: “It’s an eye sore, people around there keep complaining as it’s getting filled with rubbish and whatever else. It’s not environmentally friendly.

“We are hoping the owners will give consent for them to be repaired but I imagine it will cost a lot of money as they are in a bad way.

“I do hope Flintshire County Council do something but when something is privately owned, the council’s hands are tied. We know people are complaining and are frustrated.

“The next step we could take is through the environmental problems such as the vermin and the drugs.”

Ward councillor Andy Dunbobbin added that he has had ‘positive discussions’ with residents.

He said: “It’s been an eyesore for quite some time now.

“We will see what happens now, but it doesn’t look good when you are going in or out of the Quay. I’m all for improving the area.”