Community litter pick leads to a Cleaner Havering

The Council and its joint venture partners, which are working together to deliver the biggest regeneration programme in Havering, teamed up to collect litter from Berwick Woods on Wednesday.

Cllr Damian White, the Leader of Havering Council, was joined by Neil Stubbings, Director of Regeneration, and Wates Residential staff to remove rubbish from the green. In total, the team collected 15 bags of rubbish, plus a broken office chair from the water.

Wednesday’s joint litter pick follows the launch of the Council’s Cleaner Havering campaign.

This has meant an extra £400,000 has been set aside to increase the frequency of cleaning in residential streets from once every three weeks to fortnightly. It is also tackling litter, dog fouling and fly-tipping across the borough.

The litter pick comes after plans were submitted for the Napier and New Plymouth House site in Rainham in May. The site is one of 12 included in the estate regeneration programme which includes 126 affordable homes, including family accommodation and a further 71 homes for private sale. 

Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, said:

“I’d like to thank everyone from the Council and Wates Residential for volunteering to help clean up Berwick Woods and support our wider campaign for a Cleaner Havering.

“Like everybody in the borough we are proud to live here and we have listened to residents’ concerns. Our investment to increase the frequency of our street cleaning will mean cleaner communities for everyone.

“We also want to highlight those who persist in blighting our borough with littering, fly-tipping, dropping chewing gum and not clearing up their dog mess, which is why we need residents to do their part and work with us for a Cleaner, Safer, Prouder Havering, together”.

Lia Silva, Development Director from Wates Residential, said:

“It was great to be involved in the litter pick on Wednesday. Havering is a fantastic borough and I enjoyed pitching in to ensure it continues to be a great place to visit and live.

“We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with Havering Council and working with the team on further community activities as the build progresses.”

Havering Council is currently working with Wates Residential to deliver around 5,000 high quality homes over the next 12 to 15 years, increasing the amount of council rented accommodation and affordable homes. The right to return is also guaranteed to all residents.

As part of the project, the Council and partners are investing in education, training and skills as they deliver a borough-wide legacy. In May this year, a free training course that provided
participants with the support and tools to start a business proved a success in Havering after more than 80 residents took part.