Caroline Flint backs new Bill to clean up our streets

1 February 2005

Caroline Flint met with Margaret Beckett this week to discuss Government plans for a cleaner Don Valley. The Don Valley MP was discussing how to implement powers in the new Cleaner Neighbourhoods & Environment Bill as quickly as possible.

The Bill includes new powers to remove abandoned cars from the streets immediately and new powers to deal with fly-tipping, fly-posting and litter.

Caroline Flint said: "I'm delighted to back this Bill, which I believe can make a difference that people will notice in every community in Don Valley. I was able to tell the Secretary of State about Doncaster's excellent F.L.A.G. scheme and to discuss new powers that could build upon that successful initiative. The new powers in this Bill hit the nail on the head."

The new powers include;

• New powers to remove abandoned cars from the streets immediately before they can become eyesores which attract criminal behaviour;
• New powers to gate nuisance alleyways that attract anti-social behaviour;
• New powers to deal with fly-tipping, fly-posting and litter;
• New measures to help local authorities deal with noise from burglar alarms and pubs.

"I know people in Don Valley will welcome these new powers and will want to see them used to clean up our Borough. I will be working hard to make sure these measures are agreed sooner rather than later, so that the police, council and other local groups can get on with the job of making Don Valley a safer, cleaner place to live."

Secretary of State Margaret Beckett said: "Environmental damage such as graffiti, fly-posting and general littering is a menace that is becoming all too prevalent, not just in inner cities but in many communities - urban and rural. It creates or adds to a community's sense of neglect and makes people fear that no-one cares for their neighbourhood."

"This is a practical Bill which we have brought forward following requests from local authorities, and will go a long way to help them and other agencies tackle the problem."

"It is a key part of the Government's overall drive to help our communities become cleaner, safer and greener. And it will help rid our streets of the awful blight of rubbish while stamping-out low-level environmental crime."