A mum has warned parents and dog walkers after she discovered used needles on a public footpath on her way to collect her daughter from nursery school.
Ruth Eaton, who lives on Peter Street in Macclesfield, was walking down the alley between Loney Street, Peter Street and West Bond Street when she saw ‘at least three’ used needles on the floor.
Ruth, 32, who moved from Wythenshawe two years ago with her three-year-old daughter Eleanor and partner, Louis, said: “To find that on a school run is not very nice. We moved here to be in a better area. No-one needs to see that, let alone a child. Children could pick the needles up and hurt themselves, or they could injure dogs.”
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She added that a lot of parents used the route to get to Eleanor’s school, Parkroyal Pre-School, or to cut through to Macclesfield Academy.
She said: “I’ve seen suspicious characters, lager cans and broken glass there before.
“Eleanor finishes at lunchtime and there are often men in the alleyway hanging around hiding things when you walk past. I just put my head down and walk quickly.
“My partner Louis has said before that he wishes I wouldn’t use the alleyway but it’s the quickest and easiest way as there are no roads to cross apart from West Bond Street. I won’t be using it again though.
“Everywhere has bad areas but you don’t expect this on your doorstep.”
The council has now cleared the needles and debris.
A Cheshire East Council spokesperson said: “This matter was dealt with as a matter of urgency.”
Parkroyal pre-school leader Lindsey Scott said: “It’s a cut-through that’s always been a bit messy with dog dirt but this is the first we’ve heard of needles there.
“It’s a bit worrying and we will advise parents in our newsletter.”
