Residents of the Hollies in Sidcup, turned out at the weekend to clean up their estate when litter louts and fly tippers dumped their rubbish in the grounds and parkland where the estate is built. “We found that clearing litter from the woods and parkland is not the responsibility of the council, and Countryside, the company that built the estate, and who are responsible for such matters turn a deaf ear to our requests for help” said one resident. “So we did it ourselves”

The litter pick and clear up, which took place on Sunday afternoon June 11th was a great success, with whole families turning out to clear up and improve their surroundings.

“It was good to see such a good turnout” said Brenda Moffat, one of the event co-ordinators. We don’t see some people from one month to the next, but with an event like this, the community spirit really comes alive. We collected many bags of rubbish, car tyres, old Christmas trees, traffic cones and road signs, and loads of building materials and parts to a garage door. There were some picnic tables and chairs, discarded drinks bottles and cans, and in some areas there was evidence of drugs needles and a great many nitrous oxide canisters. There was even piles of magazines and advertising material, dumped I presume by the people who were being paid to deliver them. Some of it may come from homes on the estate which is really disappointing, but in some areas it was evident that fly tippers had been at work.”

Another organiser, said: “We urge all residents to keep a lookout for anyone dumping rubbish; it makes the place look unsightly and spoils our estate. In one area alone we found that branches cut from fir trees were piled several feet high and dumped near an entrance. School children use the estate to get to and from school, and it would be nice if parents could encourage them not to throw their drinks can and bottles into the bushes. It would be nice too if dog walkers could take home their dog’s mess with them, as even some of those that pick it up in bags discard the bags on the paths.”.

Bexley Council have agreed to remove the piles of rubbish collected by the residents.

Submitted by Derek Hope