Estate walk solves problem of rubbish

A raft of rubbish and vandalism has been cleaned up in part of Staffordshire after an action-list of favoured schemes was drawn up and put forward by residents.

Gardens have been tidied and trash and graffiti removed from garage sites after a Cannock Chase Council estate walk in the district. Residents who took part in the event in Heath Hayes and Wimblebury in March discovered rubbish in some gardens and garage sites, blocked drains and overgrown trees which needed sorting out.

All of the work identified has now been successfully carried out by Cannock Chase Council or its partners.

One tenant breached their tenancy conditions because of rubbish that was found in their back garden. The tenant was notified in writing and given 14 days to clear the mess, which they did.

Self-sown ash trees and waste found inbetween the garages on the St Paul's site have been removed, while an overgrown tree that was starting to obstruct the pavement on Sycamore Road has been cut back.

Fly-tipped rubbish found on waste land on Arthur Street has also been cleared and graffiti removed form garage walls in St Paul's Road.

Councillor Ann Bernard, Cannock Chase Council housing leader, said: "I am delighted that the Estate Walk has led to such a positive outcome for residents.

"This is exactly what they are designed to achieve. The Walks involve residents in the upkeep of their estates and nip any problems in the bud before they escalate.

"All council residents are invited to join in. It is a great chance to highlight local problem areas to estate management officers and to discuss how the estate management team addresses the issues raised.

"The council is committed to making our estates places where residents are proud of and happy to live and the Estate Walks are an important part of this."

Regular estate walks take place across the district to ensure tenancy breaches and other problems are identified and dealt with as soon as they occur.

Log on to the council's website to download the 2009-10 Estate Walks programme at www.cannock chasedc.gov.uk/downloads