Big Merton Spring Clean Coming Soon

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Residents' campaigning for cleaner streets

Local residents' group Merton Matters and Merton Council are working in partnership to crack down on people littering.

Merton Matters is staging the Big Merton Spring Clean over the weekend of April 5 and 6. It will highlight the effect people needlessly dropping litter on the borough's streets has on the local environment.

Merton Matters' Dan Goode said: "We're glad the council wants to work with us on this and meeting the Leader today seals the support of the council.

"We'll be publishing more information over the coming weeks to let people know where the litter picks will be and how people can get involved."

Anyone wishing to take part in the spring clean should register their interest by Monday (March 24). There will be a maximum of ten locations targeted.

All they need to do is call 020 8545 3189 and leave their name, the street where they live and confirmation that they are willing to help in any of the areas selected for the Big Merton Spring Clean. Merton Council will hand out litter picks, gloves and bags on the day.

Merton Council cabinet member for environmental cleanliness Councillor Judy Saunders said: "It's great that residents want to get involved in keeping the streets clean and we're pleased to be working in partnership with Merton Matters. We spend £5million each year keeping Merton's streets clean and clearing 4,600 tonnes of litter and fly tipping from our streets.

"We're doing a lot of work with schools on the effects of littering, plus we're clamping down on people who drop litter in our borough. It's antisocial and spoils the environment for everyone else. We’re also looking for residents who want to become Merton street champions – the eyes and ears of the borough – so together we can all make a difference."

Residents can now let the council know about littering and fly tipping problems in Merton with the free smartphone app, Love Clean Streets.

Find out more: merton.gov.uk/ street-apps.

To become a Merton Street Champion, residents can call 020 8274 4902. There is more information on the council's website at: merton.gov.uk/streetchampions.

March 7, 2014