Council leader vows crackdown on premises not clearing rubbish
Council leader Damian White (inset) said officers have served notices on a number of Romford premises to clear their waste - Credit: Judith Holt
Further action will be taken if premises are found to be in breach of notices to clear rubbish, according to Havering's council leader.
It comes after Conservative action team members for St Alban’s ward, Aaron Young and Councillor Judith Holt, called for action to improve Romford town centre.
In a joint statement, Aaron and Cllr Holt said that, despite some “super shops” in the area, there are some parts that look “run-down and shabby”.
They said: “Romford station bridge is dull and dreary - why not paint it red, white and blue to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?
“Some historic buildings are neglected or under threat.”
Councillor Judith Holt and Aaron Young. - Credit: Judith Holt
The duo said the “worst” areas are behind Station Chambers, Old Mill Parade and Station Parade, where they claimed to find "fly-tipping, rubbish and a huge puddle of dirty water".
Cllr White said officers patrol the areas and have served notices on a number of premises to ask them to clear their waste and keep the areas clean and tidy.
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He said: “Further action will be taken if they are found to be in breach of any notice or have left waste on the street.”
Since April last year Cllr White added that 500 fixed penalty notices have been issued across the borough.
He said he “welcomes” Cllr Holt’s comments as she has been “very much involved with the planning of street cleaning” of the town centre.
But Cllr Ray Morgan, of Havering’s Residents’ Association, felt it was “rather strange” that the two Conservative candidates are calling for improvements “just before the local elections”, especially as Cllr Holt has been in power for a number of years.
Despite this, he agreed the area is “not very inviting” and looks “a bit run-down and shabby”.
Prospective Labour candidates for St Alban’s Ward, Jane Keane and Hope Mendy, said they have been campaigning to improve Romford Town since March 2021.
Prospective Labour candidates for St Alban’s Ward, Hope Mendy and Jane Keane. - Credit: Hope Mendy
They have raised concerns about the condition of the rear of shops with authorities but felt the complaint fell on deaf ears.
Hope said: “It’s disappointing to see that it only becomes a priority when local elections are looming.”
Cllr White said that Havering Council's Autumn Blitz saw more than 1,600 roads deep cleaned and more than 3,000 flytips and 10,000 gullies cleared across the borough, along with over 145 tonnes of litter and rubbish being picked up.
