Camden News: John Miller

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Camden News - by SIMON WROE
Published: 28 August 2008

Writer Sir John Miller

Degenerate state of building an apalling example for behaviour

RUBBISH is turning parts of Camden Town into a “squalid mess” according to the theatre director and writer Sir Jonathan Miller.
The neurologist and art critic has taken particular umbrage with the litter in the basement of Camden House. The probation service building managed by the Home Office on the corner of Arlington Road and Inverness Street, is yards from his home.
Mr Miller said: “In a building that is devoted to good behaviour it seems rather appalling that the location is the epitome of bad behaviour. It is out of sight and out of mind but it’s a health hazard and a squalid mess. I’ve been in the area for 50 years and it’s become increasingly degenerate.”
The 75-year-old added: “We get one million people every weekend coming to see Camden Lock. They somehow think of it as a gigantic rubbish bin where they can put whatever they like.” Mr Miller blamed the “rubbishy behaviour” of tourists and weekend drinkers for the litter, but also demanded action from the Town Hall and the building’s owners.
In the past, he has even gone out on the streets with a broom to clean up mess ignored by street cleaners. “The hordes can’t be told anything. How dare the Home Office say they don’t have the money to clean it up,” he said.
A council spokeswoman said: “We are monitoring the area. If we see any dumped rubbish or receive any complaints, our street environment team will investigate.”

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If traders have been warned about the consequences and still ignored them in this way they should be named and shamed. It's disgraceful.
Georgina Parry