Town hall backs call to give nation spring clean
ROCHDALE Council is backing a national campaign to get half a million people out and about cleaning up their local communities in March 2017.
The brand new Great British Spring Clean will roll out for the first time in 2017, with a view to it becoming an annual event helping to bring people together and clean up the country.
TV wildlife presenter and children’s favourite Steve Backshall is lending his support to the campaign, which is backed by the key anti-litter charities including Keep Britain Tidy.
Many other organisations will also be supporting the clean-up including the Women’s Institute, the National Trust and the RSPCA, as well as a range of businesses.
Rochdale Council will be encouraging and supporting groups and individuals who want to ‘do their bit’ to help clear up the litter that blights our streets, parks and green spaces.
Having invested additional funds into keeping the borough tidy, the massive clean-up campaign will make a real difference to where you live in five different ways:
Town centre deep cleans: Say goodbye to graffiti and chewing gum. The council’s got special removal machines that will be used to keep your town centre squeaky clean
Fly-tipping, litter and rubbish: Dedicated teams will be out and about removing fly-tipping, litter and emptying bins
Dealing with dog poo: Environmental Enforcement Officers will be out and about encouraging dog owners to pick up after their pets.
Dog owners caught dog fouling will be landed with an on the spot fine of £75
Greening borough gateways: Green spaces on arterial routes in and out of the borough have been earmarked for a makeover.
Over the coming months these will be trimmed, cleared and planted with new, improved floral displays
Green space maintenance: Parks, gardens and other green spaces will be trimmed, cleared of rubbish and planted with new floral displays
Coun Neil Emmott, cabinet member for housing and environment, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Great British Spring Clean and we encourage as many groups, individuals and organisations as possible to take part.”
Martin Taylor, head of environmental management, said: “We’re passionate about maintaining the borough to a high standard and delighted at the number of groups who have already signed up to the Spring Clean, we’re encouraging groups and schools to join in and help us create a cleaner borough.”
Litter remains a huge problem across the country, causing harm to the environment and wildlife, with councils in England having to spend over £700 million on street cleaning services every year.
To take part in the campaign and set up you own clean up event visit www. greatbritishspringclean. org.uk or contact Rochdale Council by e-mail environmental.management@rochdale.gov.uk or call 0300 303 8884 with the time and date of your litter pick.
They will arrange with you a suitable time to deliver the litter picking equipment and rubbish bags and where you should leave them when you’re finished.
They will then collect everything at the end of the day.