Play your part plea for pavements

Many people would consider 4am a very early start but not for Cheshire West and Chester Council’s StreetCare teams, who are out and about from that time keeping the borough clean.

The Council is asking anyone who throws chewing gum or cigarette ends onto the borough’s pavements to stop.  Throwing litter is actually an offence and you could be fined.  A Fixed Penalty Notice for littering could leave you £120 out of pocket (£90 if paid within seven days).

When you are walking out and about in the borough you may not think about what has gone on, sometimes in the very early hours of the morning, to keep the borough’s pavements clean and tidy.

The Council’s StreetCare teams have to clean 2445km of pavement across the borough using a variety of equipment.

High heat, low pressure jet washing is used up to three times a year in busy areas, like high streets and town centres, where grime and chewing gum can build up.

Feathered friends like pigeons can also cause problems and pressure washing ensures these areas are kept clean, particularly near ‘al fresco’ dining areas.

Larger mechanical sweeping is used to remove general litter, detritus and leaves in town and village centre, as well as retail areas.  However, some jobs still require manual brushing and litter picking by hand.

On road junctions and crossing island near to agricultural land or woodland manual ‘digging out’ is sometimes needed to keep edges clean and free from debris.

During the summer months there is the added job of weed control, particularly when a hot dry summer follows April showers in the spring.  They also blow away grass clippings when grass cutting operations start.

And it’s not just Council teams who keep the borough looking good, volunteer litter pickers also do a great job keeping their communities clean.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “It’s not something you may have thought about but keeping the pavements beneath our feet clean is a huge job for our teams. 

“I would like to say a big thank you to our StreetCare teams for keeping the show on the road throughout the winter months.  They do a great job is often challenging conditions.  We are also extremely grateful to the many volunteers, such as local ‘Wombles’ groups, for playing their part and helping us to keep the borough clean and tidy.  Thank you all.

Pictured - StreetCare staff jet washing during the festive period.