Council looking for volunteers for big spring clean

The operation at council sites across Calderdale begins tomorrow (Tuesday April 23) with community groups and volunteers urged to get involved.

Calderdale Council’s leader Coun Tim Swift said: “This is a new initiative to spring clean the Borough. We know that the bad winter has left behind more than the usual amounts of litter and rubbish - we’re taking action to deal with that, and we’re asking local people to lend a hand.

“We’ve planned at least one session in every ward, targeting some of the worst grot spots that have been reported to us. Please come and get involved. Like the rest of us, the place we live in needs a lift after winter - if this year’s launch is successful, I hope this may become an annual campaign.”

The clean up days start at Greetland and Stainland, Brighouse, Elland, Rastrick, and Hipperholme and Lighcliffe wards on April 23.

On Wednesday (April 24) it’s the turn of Illingworth and Mixenden, Northowram and Shelf, Ovended, and Warley.

Then Sowerby Bridge, Park, Town and Skircoat on Thursday April 25.

Ending with Luddenden Foot, Calder, Ryburn and Todmorden wards on Friday April 26.

Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for communities, Coun Pauline Nash, said: “The Big Clean 2013 campaign is a great way to raise awareness and target areas which are in need of tidying up.

“The clean up days are great opportunities for people to get out and about in their community, making local areas tidy, and at the same time having fun and getting some exercise out in the fresh air.”

Calderdale’s teams will also be cracking down on private land which is in a mess. The Council’s Environmental Health team will encourage landowners to clean up, or face the possibility of enforcement action.

Equipment and bags will be provided for volunteers and the council will help with the removal of anything collected at the end of the day.

For more information and times, and if you would like to be involved, please contact [email protected].