The autumn leaf clearance operation is underway, which marks the busiest and most challenging season for street cleaning.
Whilst still relatively early in the ‘leafing season’, additional teams are being put in place as part of the annual planned programme to clear the estimated 2000 tonnes of leaves that will eventually fall on streets across London’s largest and greenest borough. Typically, where possible, leaves are often blown into the road when mechanical sweepers can collect the fallen leaves with ease.
With over 100,000 trees across the borough beginning to drop their leaves, roads with trees that lose their leaves in large numbers early in the season, are being prioritised for collection including horse chestnuts. A combination of an extended period of cold, combined with extended evenings or stormy weather often prompts mass leaf fall, with the council’s street cleaning contractor, Veolia also ready to respond to changing weather conditions which may accelerate leaf shedding, with the clearance programme adjusted accordingly as the season progresses.
Councillor Josh Coldspring-White, Executive Councillor for Environment, said “Our fantastic renown tree-lined streets give Bromley much of its character. They are even reflected in some of our street names. However, they also bring leaf fall and the street cleaning challenges that come with it. We know conditions will quickly change at points, including when wet weather can slow progress, but we’ll remain focused on clearing leaves as quickly as possible.”
Councillor Coldspring-White added: “As always, thank you to our Street Friend volunteers for helping to keep their streets tidy. If you spot leaves covering road drains, which can happen at any time, please feel free to clear them if it is safe to do so. This simple action can help reduce standing water and localised flooding during wet weather.”
Residents are reminded not to sweep leaves from their gardens, drives or pathways into the road, as this reduces street cleaning efficiency, may block road gullies and could cause flooding. The council offers two green garden waste collection schemes. For residents who only occasionally have green garden waste, individual sacks of leaves may be booked for collection for £3.10 each. Also on offer is the Green Garden Waste wheelie-bin collection service where members of the scheme can dispose of garden leaves and more through regular scheduled home collections, throughout the year, for an annual fee of £80. For further details and information on how to join, visit www.bromley.gov.uk/gardencollections.
Leaves and other green garden waste can also be composted at home or disposed of at the reuse and recycling centres - Waldo Road, Bromley and Churchfields Road, Beckenham. For more information on recycling and waste, search www.bromley.gov.uk/wastenews.
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For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs, on 020 8461 7670 or email andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk.