Have your say on how we keep streets clean in Royal Greenwich

The Council is asking Royal Greenwich residents for feedback on proposed changes to street cleaning.

Street cleaning is a statutory service that includes scheduled, proactive and responsive work such as sweeping streets, removing fly-tipped rubbish, weed control and autumn leaf clearance. 

Like other councils, the Royal Borough of Greenwich has faced significant funding reductions from previous central governments, whilst demand for our services has never been higher. As such, we need to re-think our street cleaning service to keep it running efficiently and sustainably. 

As part of Our Greenwich, we’re committed to making sure our neighbourhoods and town centres are vibrant, attractive and well-maintained places for our residents. 

A Council spokesperson said: “Due to the previous government’s legacy of underfunding combined with the cost of living crisis and soaring demand for our services, we are having to do much more with less. We need to rethink how we keep our streets clean, to make this vital service efficient and sustainable for years to come. 

“Your views are important to us, and we want to understand how we should prioritise our street cleaning programme to get the most out of our resources for you. 

“Complete our online survey to share your views or come along to one of our drop-in sessions to have your say in person.” 

This proposal is estimated to save the Council £150,000 from 2024 to 2025, rising to £1.2 million between 2025 and 2028. 

Other benefits include: 

• improving standards and efficiency of street cleanliness 
• reducing our carbon footprint  
• increasing our presence in and relationship with the community 
• ensuring that seasonal work, such as cleaning the A2 and A102, pavement jet washing and autumn leaf removal, does not impact daily scheduled work 
• providing our service seven days a week. 

Complete the survey to have your say online by Sunday 8 December at 5pm or share your views in person at one of our drop-in sessions below. You can also request a paper copy to your home, by calling 020 8854 8888 or emailing streetcleansing.consultation@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

• Saturday 16 November, 9am to 5pm, Greenwich Library, 12 Lambarde Square, SE10 9GB 
• Monday 18 November, 3 to 7pm, West Greenwich Library, 146 Greenwich High Road, SE10 8NN 
• Tuesday 19 November, 10am to 6pm, Greenwich Library, 12 Lambarde Square, SE10 9GB 
• Wednesday 20 November, 1 to 5pm, Kidbrooke Community Hub, 8 Pegler Square, London SE3 9GR 
• Thursday 21 November, 10am to 6pm, New Eltham Library, Southwood Road, SE9 3QT 
• Saturday 23 November, 9am to 5pm, Woolwich Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ 
• Monday 25 November, 11am to 7pm, Plumstead Centre Library, 232 Plumstead High Street, SE18 1JL 
• Tuesday 26 November, 11am to 7pm, Woolwich Library, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ 
• Wednesday 27 November, 3 to 7pm, St Richards Church Community Hall, 26 Swallowfield Road, SE7 7NR 
• Thursday 28 November, 3 to 7pm, Thamesmere Library, Thamesmere Drive, SE28 8RE 
• Saturday 30 November, 9am to 5pm, Eltham Centre Library, 2 Archery Road, SE9 1HA  

What are the proposals? 

The borough is proposed to be divided into eight areas managed by four supervisors, each responsible for one town centre (Eltham, Woolwich, Greenwich and Plumstead High Street) and the surrounding residential area. This would promote direct ownership and accountability for standards in their assigned areas. 

Sweeping 

Residential roads are proposed to be cleaned by a single sweeper instead of mobile teams. This would mean the sweeper being directly responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their area. Sweepers would be broadly based in the same area five days a week, which would improve visibility and engagement with members of the public. In time, people would get to know their local sweeper and report issues to them directly. 

Roads would be swept based on how quickly an area gets littered or dirty. Some residential roads will be cleaned more regularly than they are currently and some less frequently. Town centres are expected to be swept more regularly than residential roads due to how quickly these areas get littered and dirty.   

Taskforce Teams 

It is proposed that each area will have its own Taskforce Team who remove fly-tipped waste, empty litter bins, pick up sweepers’ bags and provide support for the barrow sweepers in the area. They would report issues such as damaged street furniture and anti-social behaviour. 

Seasonal work 

A separate team is proposed to be created to deal with seasonal and specialist work. This would include cleaning of high-speed roads such as the A2 and A102, maintaining the area between dual carriageways, autumn leaf removal and jet washing.  

Town centres 

Weekend working arrangements would be reviewed with new arrangements so there is sufficient cover in town centres and areas of high footfall.