"The Brecks" at Swinton gets a clean up

"The Brecks" - which lies between Swinton's Fitzwilliam Estate, Piccadilly and  Meadow View at Kilnhurst - is the focus of a special group set up by the Council to deal with the repeated problems of fly tipping and excessive littering in the area.

In the past few months, fly tipped rubbish and other larger debris has been removed and the Council's Streetpride Landscape Delivery Team has cut back the undergrowth and many shrubs on the site.

The special group, led by Community Safety and Swinton Neighbourhood Officers, has also obtained funding for specialists to clear out the stream.

The cutting back of the undergrowth and shrubs will allow the grass to be cut close to the stream by the authority's Grounds Maintenance Team when the grass cutting season begins in March.

A CCTV camera is also due to be installed on the site in the next couple of weeks as well as a new lighting column and the continuation of the white lighting for improved surveillance. Local residents will be informed when the CCTV camera is installed.

Cllr Richard Russell, Streetpride Cabinet Member for the Council, said that the problem in this area has been recognised by the authority and an on-going programme of practical measures is already taking place to deal with it.

He added: "The undergrowth removal has highlighted the litter problem but this is due to be removed by the specialist team cleaning the stream in the future. In addition a Streetpride Cleansing Team is due to cover the rest of the area this week.

"We believe the litter problem is caused by a small proportion of anti-social residents in the area but hopefully with the removal of alot of the shrubbery together with the deterrent of the CCTV camera these people will be less inclined to dump rubbish. Local residents can also play their part by reporting any fly tippers to the Streetpride number, 01709 336003."

Local Swinton Ward Councillor Ken Wyatt, added this was just one part of an on-going project working with people on the local estates. He added: "We have already done a lot of work in this area, including clean-ups, and local residents are kept informed by regular newsletters. Another clean-up is planned for next month and work will be on-going on 'The Brecks' site too."