On Saturday residents and community activists came together to tidy up the area in front of The Forum. A substantial amount of rubbish was collected and removed.

In many ways it has been a troubled Spring and Summer for the local community with violence and anti-social behavior blighting the area. A concerted effort by a number of agencies has seen improvements, and the area is a lot calmer nowadays.

Among the initiatives that were suggested at the many meetings over the past summer was the idea of a community clear-up. This was suggested and organized by Cllr Julian Ware-Lane.

“The community clear up was a good idea” said Stephen George , Labour’s candidate for Milton Ward in which the area is located, “ I was keen to help, and given the weather we had a good turnout resulting in the clearance of quite a lot of rubbish”

Local resident Karen added: “Despite the cold weather we rolled up our sleeves and got stuck in. The area looked really good after we finished. It was pleasing to see the community come together, especially after some of the things that have happened around here this year.”

Cllr Ware-Lane was unsure whether there would be another clear-up in Farringdon Service Road in the near future. “We will have to monitor the situation. If another clean-up is needed then, of course, I would be delighted to be involved.”

Milton’s Labour councilors have been involved in a number of clean-ups right across the ward over the years. This not only makes the areas targeted cleaner and tidier, it also aides community cohesion.