MUCH of the town is set for a makeover as councillors, residents and community groups club together for a week-long clean-up operation.

The Swindon Community Safety Partnership and the East Locality team organised the week of action, starting today to balance enforcement action with tackling enviro-crime such as litter and graffiti as well as carrying out consultations with communities.

Wiltshire Police, Swindon Commercial Services, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and Her Majesty's Court Service are also involved in the initiative, which aims to work with residents to improve the area in which they live.

Covering an area from Coleview and Dorcan, to Eldene and Parks , the localities team will be working with a number of local groups including Chat for Action, SWAP (Swindon, Walcot and Parks), Shaftesbury Angling Club and Liden Women’s Institute to complete litter picks of their respective areas, while also discussing parking issues in Walcot with residents and establishing a community lorry watch in Covingham .

Coun Julian Price, East Locality chairman, said: “I am very excited that the Week of Action has been planned for the East Swindon Locality during the August school holidays and we look forward to meeting local residents.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for public services to work in partnership with local councillors and the local community to address their concerns. “Amongst other things we will be looking at how we can address anti-social behaviour, drugs and alcohol issues and property security, as well as looking at how communal spaces, like Sussex Square can be improved.”

Coun Vera Tomlinson , cabinet member for a safer and stronger borough, said: “Swindon is normally a very safe place, but we do know that each locality has its own issues and we have been working hard with local people to find out what these are so we can begin to tackle them during the Week of Action.

“As well as working with local people to clear up unsightly areas of their neighbourhoods the Swindon Community Safety Partnership team and other agencies will also be delivering some really important safety messages and advice.”

Anyone who wants to get involved in the week of action can contact East Locality facilitator Chris Smith on 01793 466238 or email casmith@swindon.gov.uk.

WHAT'S PLANNED:

The Safe bus will be touring the area and there are other events planned thorughout the week of action:

  • Today: Churchfields School 10am to noon, Churchfields School will be hosting a presentation to residents about the application by playfootball.net to develop multi-purpose all weather pitches on the site.
  • Today: Marlowe Avenue 1pm to 3pm, launch of a good neighbour agreement including a fun day organised by residents.
  • Tomorrow: Shaftesbury Avenue area, 10.30am to 1pm, volunteers working with officers from Swindon Commercial Services will be litter picking in the area
  • Tomorrow: Eldene Shops 10am to noon, the bus will be parked in the car park offering advice and officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team will also be on hand.
  • Wednesday: Cavendish Square 10.30am to 2pm, the bus and other agencies will be in Cavendish Square offering free bike marking and registration.
  • Thursday: Sussex Square 10.30am to 3pm, the bus and other agencies will be in Sussex Square offering free bike marking and registration and advice, as well as meeting to look at how Sussex Square can be improved.
  • Friday: Coate Water 11am to 2pm, the bus will be at Coate Water offering free bike marking and registering.