Offenders clean up their act

Whitworth Road: Offenders will clear the litter and clean up the roads, clear the pathway and cutback the overgrown shrubs and weeds.

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Offenders on Community Payback schemes are cleaning up the borough, one grot spot at a time.

But first, Rochdale Borough Council has asked local residents to vote for their messiest spots, in most need of a good clean up.

Everyone has until 24 April to vote for one of the five schemes available. They are:

• Whitworth Road: Offenders will clear the litter and clean up the roads, clear the pathway and cutback the overgrown shrubs and weeds.
• Taylor Street: The land here is blighted by rubbish and fly tipping. Offenders will clean it up, cut back greenery and clear the land.
• Spodden Street: This project will see offenders revamping the area to create a more pleasant environment for residents. They’ll clear away all litter and remove all fly tipping.
• Merefield Street: The rear of Merefield Street has become an eyesore, covered in litter and fly tipping. Offenders will clean it up, cutting back shrubs and clearing away all the overgrown weeds.
• Norwich Street: This area will be given an overhaul, with offenders clearing up all litter and fly tipping. They’ll also face some extensive gardening work as they remove the shrub beds and overgrown weeds.
  
  Every year over 55,000 criminals receive Community Payback nationally, carrying out over six million hours of free work on behalf of their communities to payback for their crimes. However, more often than not the public do not know about it or know that they can have a say on what offenders do.
  
  To vote on the priority of projects in Rochdale please call freephone: 0800 197 4636.
• To vote online or suggest projects across Probation areas in England go to: www.direct.gov/CommunityPayback. Voting closes on 24 April.