Ref: PR1949
Date: 08/10/08 

Some of Wakefield's streets were targeted last week for a big clean.

Wakefield Council is tackling litter in two pilot areas with a new initiative to target excess bin waste, known as side waste, fly-tipping and poor recycling behaviour.

As part of this campaign, and as a one-off on privately-owned land, the Council's teams also cleared an area around Pinderfields Road and College Grove of fly-tipping, rubbish and graffiti in a bid to make the streets cleaner and greener.

Cllr Hudson, Cabinet Member responsible for the Environment, said: "Some of the streets we tackled were an absolute disgrace because some people just haven't been looking after their environment. We are clamping down on this type of behaviour and we and responsible citizens are not willing to tolerate it any longer.

"Dumped waste is a blight on our communities so our teams identified the area as a hotspot. They spoke to residents about disposing of their litter more responsibly and encouraged them to recycle. As well as clearing almost five tonnes of waste the team also jet-washed the area.

"Unfortunately, when we re-visited some of these streets this week the rubbish had already started to pile up again so we have no other option than to look at enforcement and fining the people responsible.

"Everyone has a responsibility to say no to litter because it spoils our enjoyment of cleaner and greener public spaces. We urge everyone to report littering and fly-tipping to help us stop this anti-social behaviour."

The area was cleared of rubbish including old beds, three-piece suites, white goods, broken furniture, needles, carpets and mixed waste. The teams also removed weeds and graffiti and jet washed the area.

Teams from the Council's Safer and Stronger Communities service also spoke to residents and community groups and gave advice on recycling and how to use their waste bins and Council services.

They also focussed on private landlords and homeowners who allow rubbish and waste to pile up in gardens, streets and privately-owned land.

Keeping the district clean costs £4m a year - money that could be spent on places to go and things to do if everyone took more responsibility for their environment. The next stage of the initiative will be to use enforcement action on households that continue to leave excess waste on the streets and refuse to recycle.

To find out more about recycling, reporting litter and how to organise a bulky waste collection visit www.wakefield.gov.uk or phone 0845 8 506 506.