Cleaning up in Anerley

12.22.26pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 14th Jul 2003

Local councillors Denise Payton and Chris Gaster cleaning up

Anyone who has been in Croydon Road, Anerley, junction of Weighton Road, knows that this area has been a regular eyesore. Flytippers, graffiti artists, abandoned cars, fridges - even a bath - and mounds of refuse has collected over time, all of which has contributed to the general air of dirt and neglect.

So, Liberal Democrat councillors in Crystal Palace and Clock House have pushed for action. At the invitation of Cllrs Denise Payton and Chris Gaster, a posse of Council officers representing all the services - street cleansing, parks, health, environment - were on the scene.

Pavements have already been cleared of black bags, bath and building material, and a contractor hired by one of the landlords was hard at work days later, removing mounds of accumulated rubbish. The remaining work will take place over the next few weeks.

The Council's clean-up is, of course, extremely welcome. But the challenge is to keep the place tidy with regular rubbish collection and street-sweeping.