A pilot scheme designed to clear up the borough's streets began in East Barnet Village this week after residents signed up to Barnet Council's Streetwise Barnet Treaty.

The new initiative aims to tackle problems such as graffiti, litter and grounds maintenance under the care of a Town Keeper who the council hope will carry out repairs by the start of each day.

The Town Keeper will be equipped with a mobile phone to ensure fast access to council cleansing and repair services and will regularly carry out patrols to identify key hotspots.

Cabinet member for environment, Councillor Geof Cooke, said: "The idea is to declare a policy of zero tolerance on anything that stands in the way of the council achieving its aim of providing an attractive environment for everyone who lives in the borough."

Two more schemes are scheduled to run in West Hendon and Golders Green.

The scheme is following in the footsteps of residents' group Friends of East Barnet Village, who came out in force during the summer to carry out their own clean up campaign.

Spokesman for the group, Andy Widger, said: "The council has responded magnificently but they would not have had we not given them a gentle push."

November 27, 2001 17:02

KEVIN BURCHALL