A CAMPAIGN to clean-up “forgotten estates” in Basildon is launching this week in a bid to repair communities “left behind for 20 years”.

Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan has insisted he wants all areas of the town to be clean and tidy and wants to work with the community to achieve it.

The likes of Vange and Wickford are set to be predominately focussed on, with a “lunchtime litter blitz” taking place in both locations tomorrow.

Earlier this month, the council leader wrote a letter condemning housing association, Clarion Housing Group, for “failing its residents” living on the 3/4 estate in Vange.

Labour’s Mr Callaghan said: “This week the council is launching our new campaign to help clean up the forgotten estates that have been left behind for the last 20 years.

“I believe that too many people have been treated like second-class citizens by politicians willing to write off too many of our estates.

“I’m not prepared to do that.

“We want our estates to be clean and tidy and we promised we would work with the community to make it happen.

“That starts now.”

The scheme has been branded “we’re cleaning up” and requires community support and engagement, with the council “hoping to empower residents” to take care of where they live.

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: “Our new ‘we’re cleaning-up’ campaign supports residents, groups, and businesses who want to make the area where they live or work a greener, cleaner place.

‘This campaign aims to:

- reduce levels of dumped waste and litter

- make residents understand what exactly flytipping is

- promote positive action in the community to help keep neighbourhoods clean

- raise awareness of enforcement action that can be taken against flytippers and litterbugs.”

The council has also reminded residents that it is an offence to deposit sacks outside your house other than on recycling collection day.

Adding that it is also an offence to deposit sacks outside other peoples’ houses or in other public areas at any time.

The lunchtime litter blitz events, booked for tomorrow, will take place at the conservation area in Vange Hill Drive, Vange from 11.30am to 12.30pm, as well as at Nevendon Park, Wickford, from noon to 1pm.

For more information visit https://www.basildon.gov.uk/cleaning-up