Newcastle Labour has today announced a £1.7 million funding package to increase the number of crews tackling weeds, graffiti, and overgrown grass verges across the city.
This funding is in addition to the councils existing work programme, but due to a change in weather patterns and the phasing out of pesticide usage there has been an increase in weeds in some areas across the city.
Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Kilgour has today revealed how the decision to invest £1.7 million into additional crews has already starting to deliver results.
Residential estates across the whole of the city have benefitted with future work set to target key gateway routes into the city centre.
Cllr Kilgour said: “I speak to residents every single day. As an elected representative of this great city, I am committed to ensuring they are at the heart of our decision making.
“Financial pressures on local government mean we do have to make difficult calls when it comes to what we can and can’t fund.
“But keeping our city clean, tidy and presentable is what council tax payers expect from the city council. Residents should not be embarrassed by their communities.
“We have incredible pressures in terms of highways maintenance, waste collection, social care and housing but everyone should still be able to take pride in their city.
“That is why we took the decision to invest in additional crews and I am delighted that we are already seeing results.
“From cleaning graffiti, to cutting back shrubbery and de-weeding pavements, we want to give you a Newcastle to be proud of.
“Work has already commenced and will continue in the coming months. By Spring, I am confident we will have blooms of colour in our city of black and white.”