Sparth Bottoms gets a spruce up

A shipping container and fork lift truck (pictured) had been left abandoned blocking the highway

A 20 foot shipping container, a fork lift truck and an abandoned car were removed from Sparth Bottoms on 26 June as part of on-going work by the council to tackle a range of environmental issues.

Fly-tipped bricks, tyres and fridges were also moved from Corporation Road as part of the clean-up and street cleaning teams have started work to clean areas of the street that were previously unreachable. Council workers will return later to tackle weeds and carry out more work.

Work began in January when parking restrictions were put in place to ensure access to business premises. Since then, enforcement officers from the council have been making great strides in engaging with local businesses to build a sense of pride in having a clean environment.

The shipping container and fork lift truck had been left abandoned blocking the highway. A number of vehicles that appeared to have been abandoned were stickered with notices of intent to remove in the days leading up to the day of action. While some had been moved from the site, those that remained were towed away.

Discussions with local businesses are on-going to cut back trees overhanging the footpath, treat Japanese knotweed that is encroaching on to the highway, and remove any further obstructions.

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for environment, said: “We’re working hard to tackle any grot spots that take the shine off our beautiful borough, but it’s important that residents and local businesses are on board with what we do. Our communities need to be places that everyone can be proud of and the cleaner they are, the more enjoyable they are for all of us.”

Phase two of the initiative is due to take place at the end of the summer and will see further improvements being made.