'Save our sweeper' plead town traders

A DEVOTED street cleaner has the full force of Ilfracombe behind him, in a united bid to keep him in the town.

Brian Davies, 63, works for North Devon Council and his employers have told him that despite living in Ilfracombe, where he goes beyond the call of duty to keep the streets clean, he must now move over to work in Barnstaple.

Robert McFarlane, chairman of High Street Traders (HST), has set up a petition with the support of members, who have copies of the petition for customers to sign in their shops. Within a week it already has 200 signatures.

He said: "He is doing such a good job that they want him in Barnstaple — but he is 63, he only has a couple of years left and they want him to work behind the lorries throwing up the bags of rubbish as well as sweeping the streets.

"Since he has been here, he has cleaned the alleyways and he's doing a sterling job — and because he lives here, he'll go that extra mile, picking up rubbish on his way to work or home."

He added: "Most people don't realise he has been, because he comes along so early and he really whizzes by quickly, but without him the streets would be a lot worse."

Brian works alongside litter warden Mike Dasent, who is employed by Ilfracombe Town Council. He said: "I'll be very sorry to see him go. He does a really good job."

High Street butcher Mike Turton said: "He does a good job for our town, so why should he be moved to Barnstaple, especially when he is so close to retirement?

"We see him every day when he passes the shop, he does the gutters and all the nooks and crannies. I think the people of Ilfracombe want him to stay."

But Mike Mansell, the council's executive director for operations and finance, said: "Mr Davies was offered the position in Ilfracombe back in November on a temporary basis, following the retirement of former street cleaner Tom Draper, who worked for the council for 40 years.

"At the time of Mr Davies' temporary redeployment from the Barnstaple depot, it was made clear this was only until we appointed someone to the permanent position, which would include working weekends and driving a mechanical sweeper.

"The council has now gone through the recruitment process, with the successful candidate due to start shortly, subject to references and other checks.

"Mr Davies is now set to return to Barnstaple as a refuse loader, a position he held before his temporary move.

"We are pleased that the local community of Ilfracombe have appreciated the work that Mr Davies has done and we look forward to providing a service that will cover weekends."