Basildon Council is appealing to people to put rubbish in bins that aren’t already full as the summer begins, with a whopping 2.9 tonnes of rubbish collected in Basildon borough’s parks over the final weekend of spring.
Chairman of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee Cllr David Harrison said: “We cleared 2.9 tons of rubbish from Gloucester park, Northlands Park, Lake Meadows, Wickford Memorial and Laindon Hills Recreation ground last weekend.”
The council is increasing its bin emptying at these sites this weekend, and waste disposal will be monitored over the coming weeks whilst the lockdown and weather combine to contribute to our parks being so busy.
“As part of the group Safer Basildon we’re sending the message out that if a rubbish bin is full, do not add to it or leave rubbish on the ground,” Cllr Harrison said.
“However, whilst we take our responsibility to keep public spaces clean seriously and devote substantial resources to doing that, this issue is caused by overwhelming levels of littering.
“We’re asking people to please keep basic politeness alive and when bins are full use common sense, respect others who want to use the park and please take waste with you and dispose of it appropriately. Leaving waste next to a bin is littering and can result in a fixed penalty notice.
“We are now stepping up enforcement action because dropping litter is an offence. We will take action which against the “tossers” which will result in a £100 penalty.”
Safer Basildon and the Council’s Parks Team are also supporting Essex Police with Operation Oxygen.
Operation Oxygen comes on the back of reports from members of the public about antisocial behaviour in our parks and open spaces, with Billericay and Wickford Community Policing Team Officers taking part in the operation.
This includes targeted patrols to deter and disrupt behaviours such as the use of nitrous oxide canisters, possession and use of cannabis, drinking of alcohol by under 18s and the use of vehicles to harass people.
