City clean-up campaign hailed a huge success (From Worcester News)

City clean-up campaign hailed a huge success

7:10am Saturday 4th September 2010 in

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TODAY marks the end of our hugely successful eight-week campaign to encourage people to Take Pride in Worcester.

The campaign – which has been run by your Worcester News, Worcester City Council and VisitWorcester – encouraged people to make the city cleaner and tidier by not only reporting “grot spots”, but also organising community clean-ups.

Leader of Worcester City Council Councillor Simon Geraghty said: “I think it’s been the best campaign that we’ve ever done, certainly since I’ve been with the council, in terms of both the relationship with the Worcester News and connecting with the public. Throughout I have been really proud of how good the city and parks are looking.”

It is a sentiment echoed by Worcester News editor Kevin Ward. He said: "I'm delighted with the success of the Take Pride campaign. The last few weeks have proved that most people really care about their neighbourhoods and want to help to keep them looking clean and tidy.

"The campaign may be over formally but I hope the community spirit we've seen during Take Pride carries on."

The council received 128 complaints about grot spots during the summer campaign, and almost 100 people have taken part in community clean-ups across the city.

Coun Geraghty said: “In the first few weeks, more people were phoning up asking the council to deal with their grot spots, but in the last weeks we’ve seen more businesses and individuals coming forward and embracing the idea of community clean-ups.”

And it is the success of the community clean-ups which has really impressed coun Geraghty.

“We are starting to shift the balance in public minds as to what the council can do and what the community can do themselves,” he said. “A little bit of effort from everybody makes a huge difference - especially when there are cuts in the budget.”

But it’s not just been about encouraging Worcester’s residents to do their part to keep the city tidy, it’s also been great for raising the profile - and public appreciation - of those who work cleaning our streets.

Mike Harrison, head of cleaner and greener at the city council, said: “The campaign has shown how much the street operatives deal with and what it would be like if they weren’t there. A lot of people never see the work they do.”

And where to go from here?

People will still be able to report their grot spots to the council - who in turn will still try to deal with any reported grot spots within 24 to 48 hours.

But the council hopes people will still do their part and get involved with community clean-ups across Worcester - which the council will continue to help with - and Mr Harrison would like to see more people join the Duckworth Trust’s team of litter pickers who go out and tidy up our city’s streets.

Coun Geraghty said: “From the council’s point of view, having a cleaner and greener city is most important. We and the community need to work together and keep it going.