Witney News - Sponsored bins take to the streets

Sponsored bins take to the streets

In a bid to cut down on street litter, local businesses have joined forces with West Oxfordshire District Council to install more litter bins in Witney.

A total of eight new litter bins have been sponsored by Henry Box School, Sharpe Business Support, Witney and District Chamber of Commerce, the Royal Oak, IZI Café Wine bar, Mac’s Garage (Witney) Ltd, Petersons Accountants and Rushbrooke Associates Ltd.

The new bins are in the following town centre locations:
· Church Green,
· Buttercross area
· Market Square (2 additional bins)
· High Street (4 additional bins)

Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Environment at West Oxfordshire District Council said, “Litter is unsightly and it reduces people’s pride in, and enjoyment of, public areas. Having more litter bins on the street will help enormously and I am delighted that we are working alongside local businesses on the sponsorship scheme.

“The Council spends about £650,000 each year cleaning streets and paths, which includes emptying bins and picking up litter. The Street Cleaning Team start work at 6.30am 364 days a year, picking up large amounts of litter before it is even seen.”

Carol Sharpe, a member of Witney Town Forum and the Chamber of Commerce spearheaded the sponsored bins initiative and liaised with the Council and other businesses in town. She said, “I live and work in Witney and love the town. I was dismayed at the amount of litter in the streets and reading the letters in the Witney Gazette I was not alone. I wanted to do something about it and saw the Forum as a vehicle to get things done.

“The Council can do so much but everyone must take responsibility by putting their litter (including cigarette stubs and chewing gum) into the bins or taking it home. I asked businesses to sponsor litter bins to demonstrate that they care about the town.

“The aim is to try to ensure that people of all ages understand that dropping litter is not acceptable. I hope to visit the schools and college over the next few months to get my message across. It would be something to be proud of if other towns looked upon Witney as an excellent example of a clean and tidy town. We must all work towards this goal. It can be achieved.”

Littering and fly tipping is an offence and any incidents can be reported to West Oxfordshire District Council on: www.westoxon.gov.uk or by telephoning 01993 861020.