Merton's filthy town centre streets

Following complaints from residents about the state of pavements in town centres, local Liberal Democrats have been shocked that Labour Council bosses seem to have no plan to keep our streets clean.

Lib Dem councillors who raised queries were bluntly told:

"pavement washing is not mandated, nor is it identified as a required technique or necessary for meeting Section 89 duties under the Environmental Protection Act"
 

Liberal Democrat leader of the Opposition, Cllr Anthony Fairclough, who is also the spokesperson on sustainable communities, said:

"Merton Labour talks a lot about 'Civic pride'. 

"But Civic Pride means more than managing down to the minimum statutory grade for litter and detritus. It means a visible, reliable standard for the public realm in our busy town centres.
 

"We recognise that not all town centre pavements are public highway, and the constraints of cost, water use, run-off, disruption and noise. 
 

"Those constraints do not, however, absolve the Council of responsibility for keeping our streets clean, nor do they justify the absence of a clear strategy".

Today Liberal Democrat councillors have written to the Cabinet members responsible for civic pride and street cleanliness respectively, with an open letter setting out four clear steps they want to see.