We must take pride in our city every day (From Worcester News)

We must take pride in our city every day

1:30pm Tuesday 31st July 2012 in News By Neil Watts

THIS year’s Take Pride campaign ensured the city was at its sparkling best for a busy summer of high- profile events.

The third Worcester City Council campaign, run in conjunction with your Worcester News , has been even busier than usual due to the Olympic torch relay, the Queen’s visit as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour and the Armed Forces march.

Since Monday, May 28, the task of keeping the streets and parks of the Faithful City as tidy as possible has seen local groups and councillors join council staff to make everything even more spick-and-span than usual.

It has taken in everything from civil enforcement officers taking to bikes, to grot spots being tackled and recycling waste and placing extra dog and litter bins in various locations around the city.

Sarah Wood, the city council’s operations manager for cleaner and greener, said: “We have had some massive events in the city and even though we have had that influx of people it has gone very well this year.”

The council’s cleansing teams will continue to focus on visiting their 10 neighbourhood zones around the city every 10 days but there are plans to freshen up their approach.

She added: “We will be looking at this with fresh eyes to start adding a bit of finesse to what we do. The work is in place but we are looking to improve that so it’s even better than it is now.”

Councillor Roger Knight, cabinet member with responsibility for cleaner and greener, said: “As we conclude our third annual Take Pride campaign I’m pleased to say this is now becoming part of our culture, rather than just an isolated event. Taking pride in our city is what we should be doing every day.”

He added: “Our ongoing goal has to be keeping Worcester looking as though we are expecting a visit from the Queen every day and we all have a role to play in achieving that.”

 

Take Pride - facts and figures

 

• 19 people have been warned by the civil enforcement officers.
• 25 requests for litter and dog bins were received.
• Three signs have been placed in Henwick Park, Lechmere Crescent and Woodstock/Windsor Avenue advising people to pick up dog waste.
• Litter picks and street sweeping has filled an industrial skip with waste each day.
• To continue reporting city grot spots, telling your neighbourhood cleansing team what to target in your area or to find out more about arranging a clean-up, call the Worcestershire Hub on 01905 722233.