The other day, on the local news, I watched an item regarding a huge illegal rubbish dump in Rainham which is almost permanently on fire, requiring the fire brigade to attend on a fairly regular basis. People in the local area have been complaining for a considerable time that the smoke arising from this dump is affecting their families' health. Figures show that there is a 50% higher than normal number of people suffering from COPD in that area. The estimated cost of a clear up was said, I believe, to be £10m but the owner, who is ultimately responsible, is in prison and has no money. Neither the council nor any other body is willing to pick up the tab for this.
It is my feeling that, whilst there are many projects which would improve an area, the first priority of governments should be to try and ensure that people's physical and mental health are not being damaged by issues such as this, which - in the grand scheme of things - are relatively easy to put right.
A considerable amount of "levelling up" money has gone to projects such as restoring Canterbury Castle, modernising Leyton Station, providing cycle lanes and footpaths in Rishi Sunak's fairly affluent constituency of Richmond, etc, etc. No doubt many of these projects are desirable, but is now the time to spend money on things that are desirable rather than essential?
What do others think?
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