Grot spots and eyesores to be transformed in spring clean blitz

Gardener Ian Sutcliffe, Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Councillor Richard Farnell and Gardener Dave Genesis

Grot spots and eyesores across the borough are to be transformed as part of a £250,000 spring clean.

Council Leader Richard Farnell says the money will be in addition to the £2m already spent on street cleaning each year and heralds a new era of pride in the Borough with all communities playing their part.

He said: “We want to help foster a sense of pride and responsibility with individuals and groups working with the council to help keep our borough clean.

The funding, announced at the council budget meeting this week, will be shared between the townships to help safeguard the future of the clean and green teams who work to clear up priority areas which are identified by the townships after discussion with local residents.

The cash will help them do even more to clear the fly-tipping, litter and dog fouling which run the borough down.

Councillor Farnell added: “This is probably the number one issue for many people and a problem right across the borough that really affects people’s quality of life. As a council we are prepared to invest in cleaning and greening but we need the support and enthusiasm of communities to help us achieve this and play their part.

“We see this spring clean as the start of a new era in Rochdale where littering and fly-tipping will not be tolerated and we will once again treasure our streets and countryside.”

An extra £100,000 is also being spent on improving key gateways into the town to give a clean and green message to commuters and visitors by ensuring grass verges are properly looked after, flowerbeds are planted and shrubs and trees are better maintained.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We are determined to make the borough of Rochdale the cleanest for miles around and we want people to feel proud of where they live. Our environment is in need of a major facelift and this money will go a long way towards achieving that. It will enhance the vital work the clean and green teams do and free up township money, so it can be spent on other local projects.”

Enforcement efforts will also be stepped up as part of the drive to help tackle the root cause of the problem.

Councillor Farnell added: “We all have a role to play in this and it’s important that residents continue to let us know wherever they see people fly-tipping or littering. People who are caught doing this will be given a £75 fixed penalty notice and if prosecuted in court could end up paying much more. We would ask that anyone who witnesses this to report it.”

Further information on how to request equipment and how to organise a neighbourhood spring clean will be communicated from the beginning of April.