“Clean for the Queen” campaign a huge success

WARRINGTON’S “Clean for the Queen” initiative has been hailed a great success with hundreds of bags of rubbish being filled and removed as volunteers braved cold, wet weather for the spring clean in time for the  Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.
A dozen litter picks took place across the borough supported by the borough council’s Street Services, Golden Gates Housing Trust, Neighbourhood Services, local residents and voluntary community groups.
They were backed by organisations including anti-litter charity, Keep Britain Tidy and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
David Boyer, assistant director transport and environment at the council, said: “Clean for The Queen was about everyone working together to give the country a big spring clean ahead of Her Majesty’s birthday and Warrington came out in force to support it.
“It is absolutely fantastic what was achieved in a few hours. The volunteers said they really enjoyed it and some even said they would happily take part in more regular litter picks if they are arranged. There were also some lovely, positive comments from residents some of whom joined in once they saw what was going on.
“We are really grateful to all those who took part and of course to the many local groups who do work to keep their communities tidy week in week out.
“Since this campaign has launched, the borough has now established four voluntary litter picking groups which is wonderful. It just shows that there is the passion out there to get out and do something about the litter problem. Just picking up one piece of litter makes a difference to provide a cleaner, tidier borough, although it would be even better
if the litter wasn’t dropped in the first place! It’s great to see our communities working with us to effect change and have fun.”
The council collects nearly 700 tonnes of litter and fly tipped waste every year from the borough’s streets and green spaces – enough to fill four double decker buses.