Spring clean to tidy up city

A 12 week long programme to tidy the city started this week, aiming at clearing litter, graffiti and fly-tipping.

Councillor Gavin Elsey, cabinet member of digital, waste and street scene, said: “The council has an aspiration to create the UK’s Environment Capital and is focused on making sure Peterborough is a great place to live, work and visit. Ensuring our streets, neighbourhood and parks remain clean and tidy plays a big part in this.

“We have listened to residents’ concerns on littering and this investment will fund an extensive spring clean operation for each of the next five years. This Springtime push will help clear fly-tipping, graffiti and the rubbish dropped by the irresponsible minority.

“We will also use it to spread the message that we should care about our shared environment and take pride in the city we live in.”

But Park Ward cllr Richard Ferris said more needed to be done to prevent fly-tipping.

He said: “There are the same hot-spots every time. I think we need to look at surveillance of these spots, with cameras.

“We need to make an example of the culprits, and impose hefty fines .

“I am not knocking these spring cleans, as they need to be done, but we need to get to the root of the problem.

“I think some of the problem may be caused from rented property - both landlords and tenants - so I am hoping selective licencing may make things better.”

Cllr Ferris said he and fellow Park Ward Labour councillor John Shearman regularly provide ‘community skips’ in their area for residents to get rid of their waste.

He added: “Amey are very responsive once things are reported to them. John Shearman and I have built up what I hope they agree is a good working relationship. However, they are very stretched and I think it is questionable whether they are able to deliver the level of service that people expect, given the contract they are working to.”

Funding of £100,000 for each of the next five years, to cover the cost of the Spring clean up operation, was agreed in the 2016/17 budget.

The city council is also investing in providing extra daily cleaning in Peterborough city centre.