A week-long operation, initiated by the Govanhill and Crosshill Community Council - with support from Glasgow City Council and various other agencies - aims to carry out a deep clean of the neighbourhood.

By Rhiannon J Davies

Today sees the start of a week-long initiative instigated by the Govanhill and Crosshill Community Council. Regarded as ‘Phase 1’, the aim is to carry out a deep clean of the enhanced enforcement area in order to have a fresh start for the area.

The enhanced enforcement area in Govanhill covers 14 tenement blocks on Albert Road, Allison Street, Annette Street, Bankhall Street, Belleisle Street, Bowman Street, Calder Street, Cathcart Road, Daisy Street, Dixon Avenue, Garturk Street, Langside Road, Victoria Road and Westmoreland Street.

Jennifer MacDonald, Secretary of the Govanhill and Crosshill Community Council said that the planning for this has been underway for several years:

“The idea of Phase 1 is to create a fresh start for the neighbourhood. In some cases, things have got back we just need a clean state to work from. This is not a ‘one and done’, there will be many more phases to ensure this is ongoing. It’s all about joined up working to identify the issues and get them resolved.”

The deep clean will involve street sweeping, litter picking, graffiti removal, cutting back overgrown shrubbery, gully cleaning, and removal of fly-tipped items. Parking will be suspended and some roads will be closed to facilitate this.

There will also be enforcement teams out including environmental health inspectors, community enforcement officers, commercial enforcement, public health officers, and litter/dog fouling enforcement. CCTV from streets, shops, and residents will also be used to trace culprits and issue appropriate action.

Several private lanes will be cleaned and cleared include Kingarth Lane, Plasterers Lane, Crooked Lane and Gaffney’s Lane as well as the lane opposite the garages on South Annandale Street.

The week of action is being carried out as part of the environmental strand of the Govanhill Locality Plan, which has been developed in consultation with local residents and community groups. Working with Katie Kelly, Neighbourhood Liaison Coordinator for the Govanhill area, the council has partnered with various agencies including the police, trading standards, school pupils, church groups, council staff, Govanhill Housing Association, Police Scotland, and several enforcement teams.

Community Councillor, Jennifer MacDonald said this is also an educational issue:

“The biggest complaint people have in Govanhill is about rubbish, but people often don’t know what they should do. We need to try and be proactive about this. We’ve now got posters available and we’re working on handbooks to go to private and social landlords to be passed on to all new residents explaining what to do with waste.”

Find out more about the poster and order your copy here

The deep clean forms Phase 1 of the operation. There are plans to take it forward in many different ways, including the creation of a business association on Victoria Road, a Christmas lights switch on, and two new murals celebrating Govanhill’s community and heritage.

Ashleigh, a resident of South Annandale Street, across from one of the sites where a mural which will be created, said:”

"I think the murals are going to make a tremendous positive impact on Govanhill. They will change people's views of the area (both for those who live here and also outsiders); this is exactly what the place needs. Just now my street is embarrassing, filthy, looks unsafe and deprived. It depresses me and I'm ashamed to invite people over to my house because of the state of the street.

“However, I believe that by having a lovely bright mural outside my house will make a huge positive impact on the look of the area. It will encourage residents to take pride in the area (and in turn reduce littering, flytipping, anti-social behaviour etc) and invite visitors. It will make me proud to say that I live in South Annandale Street - across from the amazing mural!”