Canoe Cleaner and Council come together to improve environment

James Elliott has been helping keep the River Freshney and streets around the borough clean for almost five years since being furloughed during Covid.

Now, with the help of the Council’s Street Cleansing team, James and his army of volunteers will be helping clean up the place for the foreseeable future, adding to what is already being achieved through the Deep Clean Project.

This scheme is focusing on six key wards in North East Lincolnshire, with Street Cleansing teams clearing gulleys, litter picking and much more to make a noticeable difference to residents every day lives.

In the coming weeks and months, James will be hosting a number of educational sessions with local schools and litter picks with members of the community across the borough, funded by the Council.

The first event of this type was a litter pick held in Sidney Sussex Park. Cleaning nearby areas such as Freeston Street, Lovett Street and Barcroft Street, the 12 strong group removed a large amount of litter including cans, glass bottles and discarded food packaging.

“Our area is a much better place when it’s cleaner and working with the Street Cleansing team, me and the community can go that extra mile to help remove some of the litter we see on the streets,” said James.

He added: “To have the support of the Council is great and working together is something I really believe in. There are many people who want to make a real difference and this partnership shows people just how bothered we are.

“The Council are currently doing their Deep Clean project and I’m helping to add to that work through educational sessions with schools but also pop up litter picks like today where the rest of the community can come down and help instil some civic pride into the area.

“It’s going to be great.”

Councillor Henry Hudson, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Net Zero, added: “It’s great to have someone like James add to the fantastic job our Street Cleansing team are already doing.

“The Council want to reward those people in the community who are going that extra mile to making North East Lincolnshire a cleaner and more welcoming place to live and work.

“I look forward to seeing the results of this partnership and I’m sure this is the start of something new and exciting for everyone involved.”