Army of volunteers assembles to fight ‘ongoing battle’ of litter in Cardiff

An army of volunteers will don high vis jackets and wield litter pickers as they wage war in the “ongoing battle” of rubbish in the city.

A new Keep Splott Tidy scheme – brought about by local residents, councillors and environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy – will launch later this month in a bid to clean up the streets.

Writing on hyperlocal site Ink Splott, local resident Lynne Thomas said: “There has been a lot of noise in Splott recently about the level of litter blighting certain streets and parks.”

She encouraged fellow residents to “roll up their sleeves” and help make the area tidier.

Keep Wales Tidy

Keep Wales Tidy are supporting the event as part of the Tidy Towns initiative, which is funded by the Welsh Government .

Project officer Gareth Davies will be there on the day and the charity will provide litter pickers, bags and high visibility vests, as well as arranging for the bags to be collected.

Gareth said: “It’s so encouraging to see people in the community actively wanting to make a positive difference to their environment.”

He added: “These type of community events are perfect to help engage people in realising we have an issue with litter.

“But instead of pointing the finger, we help them to take ownership and action, which fosters a sense of pride in their community.”

The litter pick is due to last for about an hour and a half and the volunteers then plan to catch up over a cup of tea.

Organisers are hoping to run the scheme once a month, in different locations around Splott, and there are plans to collaborate with Keep Adamsdown Tidy, due to launch soon.

The idea came about after a group of residents recently met with their local councillors, plus members of the council’s waste enforcement team.

‘Litter is an ongoing battle’

Councillor Ed Stubbs said: “Like most people who live in Splott, I want the area to be the best it can be. That, to my mind, is what Keep Splott Tidy is about.

“There are some lovely people and some great things happening in Splott and we want it to be a clean, tidy place.”

Councillor Huw Thomas said: “Litter is a huge concern for local residents and an ongoing battle.”

He added: “I think this will help strengthen the community of Splott and I am delighted at that. I hope we get the message through – we want Splott to be clean and tidy.”

The first Keep Splott Tidy event will take place on Sunday, August 21. Volunteers should meet at the Neath Street entrance to Moorland Park at 10am.

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