Hundreds of alleyways and grot spots cleared

A project to clear overgrown alleyways and fly-tipping hotspots has led to nearly 220 tonnes of waste being removed since 2020.

The Entry Clearance Project has been coordinated by the Wirral Waste and Environment team and has tackled more than 330 alleyways and entries across the borough, removing weeds, furniture, cardboard, builders waste and other dumped items so that the spaces can be used by residents.

Many residents have been personally involved in the project, transforming cleared alleyways into community spaces. Litter pickers and bags have been provided as well as funding for planters and plants, provided by Wirral Environment Network and the Birkenhead Constituency Team. Lots of the groups involved were entered into Northwest In Bloom 2021 and had great success.

As well as clearing the alleyways, more than 50 new alleygates have been installed to improve community safety and reduce anti-social behaviour.

It’s not just alleyways that have been given attention though, ‘grot spots’ around the borough have also been cleared. These are areas of private land which have been used for dumping waste and furniture and which have become an eyesore for residents.

One such area – Adelphi Street in Birkenhead – took three days to clear with more than 12 vehicle loads of waste and overgrowth removed. Other locations nominated by local councillors for clearance include Brookfield Terrace, Dunraven Road, Banks Road and Acacia Grove in West Kirby.

Cllr Liz Grey, Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, said: “It’s great to see how residents have really got involved in the alleyway projects by creating their own community spaces which they can use and be proud of.

“We know there will always be a small minority who continue to dump their waste, but we have been going back two weeks after each alleyway clearance to make sure it is still clear, and we are prepared to take enforcement action against repeat offenders.”