Lancaster's Street Pride Scheme steams ahead

Lancaster City Council has joined forces with its public sector partners and local residents to roll out its popular Street Pride events across the district.

Street Pride is a series of deep cleans, programs of repairs and community involvement in which a hit squad of Lancaster City Council  workers, Lancashire Probation Service Community Payback volunteers, Police and local residents work together to improve local areas.

Earlier this month, it was the turn of the residents of Mount Avenue and Howgill Avenue to benefit when the Lancashire Probation Service (Community Payback) team repaired fencing and trimmed hedges whilst Lancaster City Council’s Environmental Department cleaned the streets and removed rubbish.

An open day took place at Skerton Community Centre where Lancashire Fire and Rescue, Police and Lancaster City Council officers were on hand to offer information and advice to the public.

Information packs on local services were also delivered to houses in the area during the event.

The residents of Mount Avenue who were involved in organising the Street Pride event plan to complement the clean up operation by joining the council’s Health and Housing Service in organising a litter pick in the area later this month.

“It's everyone’s responsibility to take pride in the environment and our surroundings," says Coun Jon Barry, Cabinet member with responsibility for Environmental Services. "The council and its partners are trying to encourage this by rolling out its programme of deep cleans in residential areas across the district. Once they have been cleaned, it is up to all of us to keep them that way.”

Coun Eileen Blamire, chair of the Community Safety Partnership, added: “This is an excellent example of how the public sector and local residents can work together to make the community a cleaner and safer place.”