Cuts will make litter strewn street in Redbridge worse

Jessica Earnshaw, Reporter Friday, October 19, 2012
9:58 AM

Litter strewn streets, which is the “most common” complaint by residents, are set to get worse it is feared after budget cuts to street cleansing.

Seven Kings ward Cllr Ali Hai, speaking at the area committee five on Monday at the Keith Axon Centre, Grove Road, Chadwell Heath, called for action.

He said: “The cuts in the budget will be noticed by everyone who lives in Redbridge and together with the cut to weekly sweeps last year, will leave our roads and town centre in a horrific state each day.

“The most common resident complaint is litter and fly-tipping and this planned cut will only exacerbate the big problem we have across the borough.

“This problem needs to be tackled immediately, and is a bigger priority than Christmas lights. I think we need at least two deep cleans in each ward, twice a year.”

Restaurants

Cllr Bob Littlewood suggested street cleansing should be looked in the next financial year, but the committee agreed to spend £4,800 of their remaining budget on three deep cleans, one in each ward.

Cllr Hai also suggested that takeaway restaurants have a responsibility to clean up and provide a bin outside their businesses, which he believed was not done by the majority of restaurants. He said: “There is no point putting things on paper if it doesn’t happen in reality. We seriously need to address this.”

Cllr Wes Streeting added: “The council’s corporate strategy seems to ignore the things people value such as street cleansing and the youth service.”

Funds were also allocated to funding the Sophia Hubs Project, which will include courses on business start-up training and entrepreneurial skills programs, as well as the Vicarage Lane Play Park, totalling £6,250.