A group of residents are fighting to get a Woolwich road permanently closed to stop dangerous, daily fly-tipping.

Friends of Woolwich Common regularly organises litter-picking in the area.

The group has now started a petition to permanently close Circular Way due to the amount of hazardous waste which is dumped there on a regular basis.

In the most recent little pick-up around Circular Way and Ha Ha Road, the volunteers found a number of used building materials as well as a large roll of carpet and four boxes of rotting fish.

The petition states: "Vans are able to quickly dump hazardous waste including sharp materials, chemicals and asbestos over areas of the common used daily by commuters, walkers, dog owners and by families taking their children to the nursery."

The Friends of Woolwich Common also firmly believes that in blocking off Circular Way the council will be protecting a very important hub for wildlife.

They say: "The common is an example of acid grassland which is rare in London and under threat nationally.

"The grassland provides the right conditions for a very wide range of insects, birds and plants, including some which are very rare."

Sign the petition here.

Carolyn Roberts is a volunteer and regularly attends the pick-ups, held at the weekend.

She told News Shopper: "We are recruiting volunteers to help the ongoing clear-up and take part in our sculpture project with ArtFix in Woolwich, local artist Lucia Colella and Shooter's Hill Sixth Form College just off the Common."

The volunteers and students use the many bits of rubbish accumulated on a pick-up and create art installations and clothing with whatever they think works best.

Circular Way is already a no-through-road and so the group believes that in closing it off, traffic will not be affected.

Friends of Woolwich Common says blocking off Circular Way would save countless resources and time from the council waste services, the MoD which owns the common and volunteers who all strive to clean up the area against the ever-increasing odds.

Carolyn said: "Residents want a clean common which they can use safely and be proud of. A simple step would make all the difference to protecting the common and making it a safe place to learn and play in.

"We want to promote the cultural, educational, historical and environmental importance of the common by working in partnership with the community, army, hospital, Council and other interested parties. Our next collaborative project is developing local history trails and signage for Common"

A Royal Borough of Greenwich spokesman said: “We are aware of the petition and it will be considered by our Highways Committee in due course.”

If you would like to volunteer, there is a little pick held on the last Sunday of every month between 11am and 1pm and the group meets at the bus stand opposite west entrance of QE hospital. If you would like to join the sculpture group, please contact Friends of Woolwich Common via Facebook.