Cleaner, Greener, Safer Carlisle

Residents asked to provide a helping hand

Local residents are being asked to lend a helping hand this Saturday (21 July).

Carlisle's Mayor, Cllr Elizabeth Mallinson is calling for volunteers to help her, Carlisle City Council staff, and staff from McDonalds Kingstown, clear up a Stanwix grot spot. A litter pick down by the River Eden is planned between 9.30am and 12.30pm, meeting at Edenside Bowling Club.

Organised by the City Council in partnership with Stanwix Neighbourhood Forum, local school pupils have already been invited to take part and McDonalds Kingstown have offered up free fruit vouchers for children who take part.

Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure said

Dropping litter is not acceptable and we want to encourage local residents and children to take pride in their local communities and environment. This kind of event highlights the effort that has to be taken to clear away litter and we are calling on residents to come forward and lend a hand.

The litter park is one of many measures the City Council has taken to encourage residents and visitors to keep Carlisle Cleaner, Greener and Safer. Local teenagers who keep Carlisle streets clean are also being rewarded with free tokens for local shops. Around 1,000 Rewards 4 U' tokens have been handed out so far.

The City Council launched a public awareness campaign - Carlisle...cleaner than ever last year and enforcement officers have made frequent visits to the city centre to warn visitors of the new Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act legislation. They also visited schools, community events and Neighbourhood Forums to spread the word.

Bus advertising, lamp post banners, posters, flyers and other promotional material have been placed around the city to make residents aware of the new powers.

As part of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, enforcement officers can issue a minimum £50 fine to people who drop litter, fly-tip, spray graffiti, fly-post, distribute flyers or leaflets, or fail to clean up their dog's mess. Any resident wanting to report enviro-crime should contact the City Council on 01228 817200 or text the City Council on 07624 803992.