Mission Green Sweep for our urban spaces

Councillor Wera Hobhouse shows off Rochdale Borough Council’s new ‘green sweep’ arsenal with environmental management staff

Rochdale Borough Council’s green sweep arsenal has just got tougher!

In an effort to rid pavements of cigarette stubs and chewing gum, revolutionary machines have been brought in to help make the council’s street cleaning operation around the borough’s busiest areas more efficient.

To help deal with the rise in the number of cigarette ends that have blighted our pavements since the smoking ban was introduced in July 2007, the council has introduced new ‘Green Machines’ to stay on top of the problem.

The new chewing gum removal machines allow operatives to remove gum from pavements much more efficiently by using environmentally friendly chemicals. Previously, power hoses would be relied upon to eradicate gum from footpaths, which often meant having to close public rights of way due to spray.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for Environment and Sustainability commented: “We’ve introduced these machines following consultation with the public to ensure our street operatives can stay on top of cigarette ends and chewing gum on the borough’s busiest footpaths.

“We’re determined to make the borough a cleaner and more attractive place for everyone, and that goes for busy urban areas too.”