ANGRY residents in Bridlington are calling on East Riding Council to maintain popular gardens in the town to an "acceptable standard".
The West Street and Surrounding Area Action Group say railings at South Cliff Gardens need to be removed or replaced, the shelter needs proper maintenance and the benches need repair and repainting.
Barry Guildford, chairman of the group, said: "These gardens are the first close-up view of Bridlington that visitors get when they alight from the Park and Ride bus and it will be their last when they leave.
"These gardens are immensely popular with tourists visiting the town. Surely they can be maintained in a better condition than they are at present."
Mr Guildford has written to East Riding Council on behalf of the group, saying that they want the gardens bringing up to an "acceptable standard" by next month or they will start the ball rolling themselves.
"We will buy the materials necessary to repaint the benches in the gardens and gather together a group of volunteers to get the job done," he said.
"The motto emblazoned on the front cover of the council's Bridlington Town Centre and Marina Supplementary Planning Document is 'Making it Happen'.
"So how about the council putting some effort into making that motto a reality?
"Far too much time and money has been wasted arguing about what may or may not bring about the regeneration of Bridlington and nowhere near enough on making it happen."
However, John Skidmore, head of streetscene services at East Riding Council, said he was aware of the community's concerns and had already put into place appropriate measures to improve the area.
He said: "Currently, the council is going through the required procurement process to repair the damaged benches, which will be done so using recycled materials.
"The council will also undertake general maintenance to the shelter so that it is ready for the summer season, including repainting the structure.
"As part of the council's planned programme of asset works, provision has also been made to remove the old railings.
"It is anticipated that these works will be completed by no later than the end of June, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy the gardens, maintained by the council's grounds maintenance team, which include flowers beds of seasonal blooms and grassed areas, that receive positive feedback."
