There are calls for a tidy-up at Gloucestershire car park as overgrown nettles and hedges obstruct dog bins, and benches, and sign posts.

Lydney councillor Alan Preest (C, Lydney East) has called on the Forest of Dean District Council to improve the maintenance of Newerne Street car park.

He says the situation has deteriorated in recent weeks despite being assured by council leaders in February that maintenance of the district’s car parks would improve. He says the messy car park and the graffiti on the neighbouring old Co-op do not give visitors a good impression of the market town.

Cllr Preest said: “When Forest of Dean District Council [voted] to increase car parking charges at the February budget meeting we were told that maintenance of the car – parks would improve. In reality, it’s gotten worse.

“With the graffiti on the neighbouring old Co-op, and the mess in and around the car park, it hardly gives a good impression when visitors, let alone residents and local businesses, park there.

“You would certainly expect a local authority to take a little pride in their assets.

“Notwithstanding the political influence, surely the staff responsible would be aware of and act certainly when signage, lighting, grit bins, dog bins are obscured.”

Forest of Dean District Council has been approached for comment.