We're getting government funding to clean up our high streets
Thursday, 21 March 2019
We heard this week that we're to receive just over £49,000 of government funding to help clean up the high streets and pavements in our town centres.
Councillor Budge Wells, our Deputy Executive Member for Community Services, said: "The money will be used for pavement repairs and cleaning, to ensure that Central Bedfordshire’s high streets are repaired where needed and look their very best to help encourage shoppers and visitors back into our town centres.
"Over the last few months, we've already had a programme of activities to tidy-up and clean pavements in five of our town centres. This additional money means we can continue this work."
Since December last year, our team has been tidying up the town centres of Sandy, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard, Shefford and Houghton Regis.
A steam-cleaning machine has been hired to lift all dirt, grease and chewing gum from the block paving in the towns without using chemicals. Instead, the machine relies on steam rather than high-pressure water, which can cause damage and additional mess. It has also meant that the pavements are not only clean, but are less slippery after the treatment.
Our bus shelters have also been spruced-up. There are 346 bus shelters in total, but some require more work than others. The cleaning crew has been washing these alongside its other tidying projects.