December Big Clean Up volunteers in Quixley Street, Poplar. Pic: Tower Hamlets council

The Big Clean Up events will be returning to Tower Hamlets from March 5 to 9, as part of the ‘Love Your Neighbourhood Campaign’, ran by the council.

This is after the success of similar events last year that helped keep the borough clean, picking up almost 7,000 tonnes of litter.

The previous clean ups took place in October and December 2017, where residents scraped graffiti off walls, removed fly postings, and picked up litter.

Volunteers picking up litter from Tower Hamlets’ streets during the December Clean Up. Pic: Tower Hamlets council

The event will run for a week during March and will coincide with the national Keep Britain Tidy activities.

The events strive to “bring people across the country together to clear up the litter that blights our towns, villages, countryside and beaches”, according to the Tower Hamlets council website.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, told Tower Hamlets Council: “Our first Big Clean Up was a big success. I particularly welcomed the tweets and emails we received from residents who expressed their support for the Clean Up and put forward suggestions of areas to be cleaned.”

After the second clean up occurring in December, Biggs said: “I’m very pleased that these Big Clean Up events have been taking place across the borough.”

Volunteers from the December Clean Up in Mile End. Pic: Tower Hamlets council

Volunteers from the December Clean Up in Bow. Pic: Tower Hamlets council

Biggs says it is fantastic to see everyone coming together to make a difference, and hopes that the event will inspire residents of the area to have a positive impact on the communities.

Councillor Rachel Blake said: “It has been really positive to see enthusiastic council staff, volunteers, officers, and partners out on the streets for our latest Big Clean Up.”

“Littering is a blight to our community,” said Mayor Biggs.

“We want everyone to be proud of and enjoy the areas where they live, which is why we launched our Love Your Neighbourhood campaign; so we can work with local people to improve their neighbourhoods. We know that clean streets are a priority for our residents.”

Big Clean Up event advertisement. Pic: Tower Hamlets council

The areas where different clean ups will take place have not been decided yet, but can be nominated via email (communications@towerhamlets.gov.uk). Some areas worked on previously have included Poplar, Mile End, and Bow.