A South London council has been slammed for the "filthy" state of a local war memorial. Memorial Gardens on Union Street in Kingston is "dirty" with broken walls, dead plants and graffiti, according to one concerned resident.

New Malden resident Lynne Finnerty, a Royal British Legion member, said the Grade II* listed war memorial has been "neglected" by Kingston Council despite a project to improve the garden.

But Ms Finnerty told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that whenever she visits the Memorial Garden it has "deteriorated" more. She said: "There doesn't seem to be any respect given to the site as a heritage site and the significance of it."

She said picnic tables were temporarily put on the site, attracting pigeons that have stayed and are fed by locals. She said: "It's unhygienic and pigeons are seen as vermin – if the food is left there it could attract other vermin and with the children's activities in there, it's not particularly great for young kids to be around all the other dirty pigeon feathers and the pigeon droppings." 

The Kingston War Memorial has suffered from council neglect (Image: Lynne Finnerty)

She added: "The granite benches have been filthy for months, ever since the picnic tables were installed – you wouldn't want to sit on them. The trouble is that once an area looks dirty, then it attracts other antisocial behaviour and now there's graffiti on the benches and the litter is just building up." She said moped drivers park on the site after gates and railings were removed.

Broken benches at the Kingston War Memorial (Image: Lynne Finnerty)

 The memorial pays tribute to those who died in the First and Second World Wars. Ms Finnerty said there are opportunities to get young people interested in the site with "appropriate" projects so it is "cherished" for years to come. 

A spokesperson for Kingston Council said: "Memorial Gardens is an important green space at the heart of Kingston. We are currently looking at how to improve the maintenance of the gardens, so that they can be enjoyed to the full by visitors and residents. In the longer term we will also be considering how the revitalisation of the gardens can contribute to the wider enjoyment of Kingston town centre.

"During the summer we have been trialling using the gardens for different activities and we are constantly working, with the help of partners and stakeholders, to ensure that all of our heritage sites are maintained, clean and safe. This includes providing facilities for litter and installing new signs discouraging people from feeding the birds. We will continue to work with the community to achieve the best and most inclusive environment for the Memorial Gardens and all of our precious public spaces."

A spokesperson for Kingston First said: "In the past year, Kingston First and Kingston Council have been working on ideas for improving Memorial Gardens, engaging and talking to a wide variety of people and organisations about the space and its significance to Kingston. Concept ideas have been created for Memorial Gardens, involving local landscape designers with input and feedback from the Royal British Legion, young people, residents, businesses and local interest groups.

"The concept ideas have been welcomed by those involved. We've also confirmed that the people and organisations involved in the project to date will be able to continue to provide their feedback as the plans develop. It is anticipated the next stage of the project, to develop concepts into detailed plans, will begin this autumn. In the meantime, Kingston Council continues to be responsible for the maintenance and management of the space.

"Over the summer, residents have had the opportunity to use free family activities and see new art and culture in the gardens. These activities have been provided by a range of organisations. All organisations continue to take on board feedback from people using this space, and other spaces in the town centre, to help plan for future initiatives in Kingston."