More than 230 volunteer places have been taken up as residents, businesses, councillors and council staff join forces to give Swindon town centre a clean-up.
The Big Town Centre Clean-Up got under way on Monday 17 August, with volunteers taking part in a programme of activities running over the next two weeks.
The first group concentrated on litter-picking along Canal Walk and The Parade, as well as clearing vegetation around Fleming Way.
Further sessions will see volunteers tackling a range of jobs, including litter-picking, restoring benches and bringing tired-looking flower beds back into better condition.
The volunteer work is being carried out alongside a wider programme of improvements by Swindon Borough Council throughout August.
Council teams are repairing damaged paving, removing graffiti, power-washing pavements and clearing weeds. Work has also been completed to restore the Golden Lion statue, one of the town centre’s more familiar landmarks.
The council says the clean-up is intended to make targeted improvements to the appearance of the town centre by concentrating existing services and resources where they can make the most visible difference.
It comes against the backdrop of pressure on council finances, with more than 85 per cent of the Council’s budget committed to essential statutory services, including adult and children’s social care.
The Council has also pointed out that around 95 per cent of land and buildings in the town centre are privately owned, and has called on property owners and landlords to address maintenance issues on their premises.
Councillor Kevin Parry, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Recycling and Streetscene, joined the first group of volunteers.
“It was fantastic to attend today’s session to welcome the first group of volunteers and join them in getting stuck to making a visible difference to our town centre,” he said.
“The response from the community has been incredible, with more than 230 volunteer places booked across the programme. It shows how much people care about Swindon and their willingness to get involved in improving the places we all share.”
Councillor Parry said the programme brought together volunteers, businesses, community groups and the Council, adding that working together could achieve more than any one organisation could manage alone.
The clean-up will continue over the coming fortnight, with further volunteer sessions planned across the town centre.
Anyone interested in getting involved can find details and register through the Big Town Centre Clean-Up event page.
