Rubbish piling up in the borough

Published: August 11, 2011

THE problem of increased rubbish on our streets since Camden decided to reduce its domestic rubbish collection to some of its properties is an issue which needs to be resolved sooner rather than later.

Unlike councillors who agreed the cuts in service, the Victorians understood the connection between regular multiple rubbish collections of waste and disease control (Grandmother who has been sent back to ‘giant’ rats home, August 4).

In the 19th century, municipal rubbish collections were instituted and a wide-scale sewerage network built. This had the effect of increased disease control and reducing epidemics.

Camden has forgotten or chooses to ignore this basic reality. It now thinks tenants and residents who live in traditional street properties can manage with one domestic rubbish collection per week instead of two. To quote a senior councillor, it’s more efficient to have one collection per week and more recycling, saving money. Reality contradicts this brave assertion. Rubbish is piling up on the streets and is attracting fly-tipping and vermin!

Camden should have introduced any change slowly, after looking at the specific and sometimes unique needs of each street. Each area presents with different challenges, such as catering to the needs of hundreds of houses in multiple occupation, including those in commercially busy and heavily pedestrianised areas such as parts of Camden Town and West Hampstead.

Many of our properties were converted to provide for tenants in housing need and many of these now provide accommodation to many families who are sadly living in acutely overcrowded conditions. All of these factors should have been taken into consideration when deciding where to make cuts.

Sadly, we are also hearing of cases where the elderly and other residents are choosing to keep surplus domestic rubbish indoors instead of adding to the problem of litter-filled streets.    

In fact, it is completely unacceptable that these changes were introduced without adopting a more strategic and informed approach.

Consultation has been practically nil.

We will be asking for an urgent meeting.

Dirty and diseased streets are the visible signs of a society fading away until only its sad grimaces are left.
Tenants or residents can contact us at camdenstreetproperties@yahoo.co.uk
Petra Dando
Chair, Camden Association of Street Properties