Capital Clean-Up Campaign is launched
Litter, graffiti, fly-posting, fly-tipping, dog fouling. It’s a grimy scene. One all too familiar on the streets of the capital-until now.
Keep Britain Tidy, London councils, the Metropolitan Police, and businesses including McDonald’s, Enterprise and The Co-operative have united for a six week deep clean of the capital.
The annual Capital Clean-Up campaign, sponsored by Enterprise, aims to make immediate improvements to grot spots in the short term, with the Olympics in sight, but also create behaviour change in the long term and restore people’s ownership and pride in local areas.
Over 200 separate events are planned and activity ranges from a week of enforcement by the Police, education focused events led by schools and litter picks organised by volunteering members of the public.
The long term effects of the campaign’s work can be seen in sites such as the Medway Court Estate in Camden, where residents now benefit from land transformed by volunteers. The community can now grow food and enjoy the flowers when before the space was unused.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: ’I cannot heap enough praise on this excellent campaign to blitz London’s grimiest parts. Well done to all those people giving up their time to volunteer as part of Capital Clean-Up helping to make our city litter-free and generally a far more pleasant place. ’
Phil Barton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy said:
"Run down areas cost us money and give us an increased fear of crime. Since it began the campaign has had a real impact on the appearance of London. By uniting, the community; police, council and business can rid the capital of this problem for good. "
The campaign is being launched by a community carnival on Saturday 15th May in Islington. Everyone is invited to enjoy live music, entertainment acts, workshops and food, as well as signing up to be a volunteer for the campaign.
To find out about a clean up happening in your area visit www.capitalcleanup.co.uk and get updates and news by following us at twitter.com/capitalcleanup
Tell us about an event you have planned by contacting the campaign officer Corinna Luther, 07972389321 corinna@london21.org.uk .
ENDS
Photo and Interview Opportunity
Media is invited to capture the community’s support for the campaign at the canal carnival 12-6pm City Road Basin, Regents Canal, Islington.
Interviews will be available for more details contact the press office.
Notes To Editors
The campaign has been running for three years and aims to make London a cleaner, safer, greener capital for the Olympics and beyond.
Enterprise is the campaign’s primary sponsors. They provide infrastructure maintenance services to the public sector and utilities industry. For more information visit www.enterprise.plc.uk
Graham Street Park is looked after by Islington Council, which supports the aims of the Capital Clean-Up Campaign.
The campaign is supported by; The Co-operative Membership, Hyde Housing, Family Mosaic, British Transport Police, Network Rail, Change Makers, 30 London Boroughs, Greater London Authority, Keep Britain Tidy, McDonalds, Business in the Community, Greater London Volunteering, London Probation Service.
Keep Britain Tidy is the anti-litter charity for England. We are passionate about cleaner greener places and run Eco-Schools, Green Flag Award for parks (in partnership with BTVC and GreenSpace), and Blue Flag/Quality Coast Awards for beaches. TV star Kirstie Allsopp is our ambassador. To find out more about us and to become a supporter visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.
Press enquiries
Contact the Keep Britain Tidy press office:
Jill Partington 01942 612 679 jill.partington@keepbritaintidy.org
Keep Britain Tidy Mobile (24 hours, 7 days a week): 07768 880016
Keep Britain Tidy has ISDN radio facilities for interviews
ISDN: 01942 322178
Please contact the press office in advance to make arrangements