The big clean-up

You could help make Gainsborough a prettier place to live by telling us about the town’s worst grot spots.

The Gainsborough Standard is launching a new Grot Spot Clean Up campaign in partnership with West Lindsey District Council.

We want YOU to name and shame the most horrid and hated places you walk past and think ‘that needs sorting’.

The council has pledged to help communities clean up their streets by lending clean-up equipment, taking away rubbish and using enforcement powers where necessary.

Here at the Standard we’ll help by publishing before and after photos to show how working together can really make a big difference.

Council leader Coun Burt Keimach explained the campaign was being launched as part of the localism drive.

“It is not just about the council taking responsibility and cleaning up the mess,” he said.

“We are hoping to work closely with the local community to help them take responsibility for local areas and make them places to be proud of.”

He added: “There is so much energy and enthusiasm about the town. We need to capture this and celebrate our achievements to promote Gainsborough and help it grow.”

So what can the community do to help?

l Keep a look out for places where people fly tip and report it to the council.

l Organise your own litter picks - the council can provide bags, gloves, litter pickers and collect the waste afterwards.

l Do your bit and make sure your property and land is presentable. Speak to neighbours and businesses to encourage them to keep their land tidy.

The council will continue to inform people about waste collection days and the nearest household recycling centres.

Coun Keimach said the council would also use its enforcement powers to take action where necessary.

He said: “To make this happen we need the community to get behind the campaign and ask themselves what they can do to support their own community.”

Send your grot spot photos to [email protected]

You can also report them to the council, or get involved yourself by calling the customer services line 01427 676676.