Witney News - Want cleaner neighbourhoods? It's time for action

Want cleaner neighbourhoods? It's time for action

Residents are being urged to do their bit to help their local environment by taking part in Community Clear-Ups around Witney during April and May.

Witney Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG), West Oxfordshire District Council and Thames Valley Police have joined forces to organise three Community Clear-Ups between 10am and 12 noon on:

Saturday 28th April at Edington Square, West Witney
Saturday 12th May at the Smiths Estate, Witney
Saturday 19th May at Burwell Drive, Witney

West Oxfordshire District Council officers will be removing graffiti and litter, as well as dealing with problems concerning abandoned vehicles, dog fouling and fly-tipping.

Cllr Verena Hunt, Deputy Leader at West Oxfordshire District Council said, "The Community Clear-Ups are part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness and cut litter problems in West Oxfordshire. The Council recently completed an on-foot clear-up of litter from roadsides and grass verges across the District, and more than 12.5 tonnes of rubbish was collected in 26 days."

The Witney Neighbourhood Policing Team is promoting the events beforehand by visiting local schools and businesses to recruit volunteers.

The joint approach aims to raise awareness of neighbourhood environmental crime. Glyn Rees, Witney NAG chair said: "As local residents in Witney the Neighbourhood Action Group recognises the need to bring awareness to increasing environmental crime. This doesn't just include litter, but also abandoned cars, graffiti and vandalism - all things that blight our neighbourhoods but are often caused by residents. Some responsibility has to fall to locals to help clear it up."

An Anti-Litter Day also took place in Witney last October, with community groups and members of the public helping the District and Town Councils pick up litter in the town centre, and businesses displaying posters encouraging people to bin their rubbish.