| Anti social incidents halved this year after second clean up operation - 13th March '08 |
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Residents and local councillors were rejoicing this year after the second Environmental Action Day reveals a fifty per cent drop in problems requiring the attention of enforcement officers. Despite torrential rain on the first day of the operation, officers and councillors were out and about with residents armed with high visibility jackets and litter picks all over the village. 
Sarah and Nathan with Brian Wafer (Avon Fire and Rescue) who was giving out free smoke alarms to residents on the Environmental Action Day.
The programme
consisted of one day spent touring the village, picking up on illegal vehicles,
infringements of tenancy agreements, fly-tipping and graffiti, followed by 3
clean up days, involving residents, young people, officers from Banes and local
councillors Sarah Bevan and Nathan Hartley.
Cllr
Bevan said:
This is
the 2nd year running we have been involved in this kind of operation and I'm
very pleased with the results. Residents feel reassured that the few people who
do break the law and spoil the environment for everyone else will be required to
clean up their act, and do react favourably.
The main rallying
point for all the activists was at the 'pod' run by Avon Fire and Rescue
service, which was stationed for all 3 days in the forecourt at Tesco's shop on
the Bath Road. Energy saving information was handed out, and environmental
concerns addressed. Free eco-friendly light bulbs were given away, as well as
leaflets encouraging residents to apply for free loft insulation assessments and
in some cases free cavity wall work.
Cllr
Hartley said:
I was
pleased that so many young people are interested in tidying up the youth club
car park and taking a pride in their own community. This has a very valuable
knock-on effect on the way people feel about where they
live."
The final day,
Saturday, 15th March will be a bulk waste clear up - there were lots of
Christmas trees still lying about along the more obscure footpaths in both parts
of the village.
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