Clean-up day removes 22.24 tonnes of rubbish

VOLUNTEERS cleared 28 skips of rubbish from West Bank during a day of action last weekend.

Children of all ages from the local community litter picked and brushed up the streets during the clean-up on Saturday, March 26.

Adult volunteers removed bulky unwanted items from residents’ homes including a three-piece suite, bed mattress, shed and wardrobe.

The event was funded by the Safer Halton Partnership, the West Bank Community Forum, Halton Borough Council and Halton Housing Trust, whose staff also volunteered their help and support.

The Council’s Open Spaces, Waste & Environmental Improvement Services and Ward Councillors were involved in the event.

Debbie Jameson, Customer Involvement Officer at Halton Housing Trust, was one of those who helped.

“There were around 40 children and 30 adults all volunteering and it was lovely to see everyone working together,” she said.

“It was about bringing young and older people together, as well as sending a clear message out to prevent fly-tipping and improving the look of the area.

“It was back-breaking work but great fun and it felt like we had made a real difference to the community.”

Julie Baker, Chairperson, West Bank Community Forum said, “It was a pleasure to see the community, both young and old, together with their local council, achieving common aims for a better place for us all to live in.  We would like to thank to the people who voted for this project enabling the Forum to receive the funding from Safer Halton Partnership. We also appreciate the continued support of our Riverside Ward Councillors, Halton Housing Trust, Balvac Construction and our local recycling business Green Reclaim.  The day fully exceeded the Forum’s expectations."

A Council spokesperson said: “The Council supported the event by providing equipment such as gloves, bags and high visibility vests, along with one of its Streetscene teams. The Council also deployed a mechanical sweeping machine to the area.”