Kendray and Worsbrough Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) with the help of BMBC, has transformed a site in Ardsley, which up until recently, was blighted with litter.

At a recent Crime and Safety Group meeting (CSG), a concern was highlighted by members of the community that the area between Mount Street and Ardsley Park and that behind Coronation Terrace, were being used as virtual rubbish tips.  Household waste, cigarette ends, dog excrement and even a mattress were just some of the waste being dumped.

BMBC spend on average £2.6 million a year street cleansing, 5% of which is spent on fly tipping alone. 

Kendray and Worsbrough SNT conducted a questionnaire that was hand-delivered by BMBC community wardens to all residents in the area and aimed to identify feelings and opinions on the issue of litter.

97% of people felt that there was a problem and would like to see it resolved. Some even confessed that they did not know how to dispose of their waste correctly.

On Friday 10 May, the SNT, BMBC community wardens, Neighbourhood Pride and a supportive member of the public, spent two hours cleaning up the area resulting in approximately 1000kg of rubbish being removed.

The SNT spent time engaging with residents, explaining how to dispose of larger items such as unwanted mattresses the correct way, using BMBC’s Special Collection Service. With this service the public can request large items to be collected and disposed off appropriately for only a small fee (depends on amount and size).

PCSOs also used the opportunity to encourage residents to attend their next monthly CSG meeting where local issues of concern are raised, discussed and highlighted to local agencies with the aim of being resolved.

Kendray and Worsbrough SNT Tasking Officer Paula Marshall said: “Many hands make light work and the combined efforts of the police, council and the public made this clean-up a success. We will be monitoring the area to make sure the litter doesn’t build up again and would appeal for residents and people in the area to support us.”

 Photos shows before and after clean up: