A new scheme's been launched to clean up North East Lincolnshire
'Clear it' is a new pilot project to help communities safely clear up a space in their neighbourhood
A new scheme's been launched to clean up North East Lincolnshire.
The "clear It" project will allow local people with concerns to identify an alleyway or open space which needs attention.
Volunteers in the area will take responsibility for removing waste with council staff promising to dispose of it and provide equipment like litter pickers and shovels.
Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for Environment and Transport, said:
“We’re launching this new scheme to help people who are willing to come together and clear illegally dumped waste from an alleyway or patch of neglected land that’s not owned by the Council.
“We’d like to see these types of spaces given a fresh start so they become vibrant places the community can enjoy and make better use of.
“Community volunteers in Liverpool started a similar project where they cleared up the mess and the Council took away the rubbish.
“They transformed their alleyways from rubbish dumps into community gardens and safe places for children to play, wouldn’t it be great to see that here?
“If you are keen to transform a neglected alleyway or patch of land, please use the online application form at www.nelincs.gov.uk/clear-it.”
Cllr Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, added:
“Our new Clear It scheme gives people the opportunity to work with their neighbours and take ownership of their shared space.
“This is something we’ve wanted to introduce for a few months but had to put on hold due to the disruption caused by Covid.
“We sympathise with people whose lives are affected by mess left in their alleyways, but they are private property and it’s not the Council’s job to keep them clean.
“Not all wards have alleyways, so to make the scheme fair and open to all parts of the borough, we are including patches of land that aren’t part of the Council’s usual street cleansing duties. These might be areas where the owner can’t be traced or where it’s not clear who’s responsible for it.
“We’re willing to help those who organise themselves and put plans in place to try and bring their alleyway or a neglected patch of land into use after we’ve helped them by disposing of the rubbish.”