Published: Monday 27 November 2023
New e-buggies are hitting the streets with our waste collection, graffiti cleaning and jet washing crews to help get our streets sparkling clean in time for Christmas.
They’re part of a major ward by ward clean up operation which is sprucing up the borough beyond the usual day-to-day maintenance.
An extensive programme of street clean ups has been happening since July after an £865,000 Council investment.
So far 1,630 extra instances of graffiti have been removed, dozens of streets jet washed and 288 fines have been issued for littering. Wardens have responded to 438 requests to everything from illegal street trading to drug paraphernalia and begging.
Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning and public realm, said:
“Greener, cleaner and safer streets is a top priority for us and our residents which is why we have invested extra this year in making our borough the cleanest in central London.
“With over 1,000 instances of graffiti, fly-posting and stickering tackled so far, the crews are making Kensington and Chelsea sparkle.”
The biggest challenges so far have been finding a time when the busy streets are quiet enough to jet wash without disturbing people getting to work and school. Crews have been working through the night and in the early hours to jet wash pavements before the borough wakes up.
During Notting Hill Carnival in August, crews cleared 537 instances of graffiti in Colville Ward, home to the biggest section of the Carnival route.
When will my ward get the clean up?
Some wards have already had a spruce up. The work began in Brompton and Hans Town in July with and has also tackled street cleanliness in Colville, Golborn, Notting Dale and Norland, wards so far. Crews are currently in Earls Court and Abingdon for November 2023.
December 2023 – Stanley and Chelsea Riverside
January 2024 – Pembridge
February 2024 – Royal Hospital
March 2024 – Queen’s Gate
April 2024 – St Helens and Dalgarno
May 2024 – Holland and Campden
June 2024 – Courtfield and Redcliffe