Councils unite for week-long clampdown

COUNCILS on Merseyside are taking a no-nonsense approach to dog fouling with their latest campaign to rid the area of the problem for good.

Starting this week, eye-catching posters produced by Keep Britain Tidy will be seen around the region, with the strapline There is no such thing as the dog poo fairy...

Councils in Merseyside want to remind dog owners that it is their responsibility to pick up after their pets.

Wardens across Wirral, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and St.Helens will be out in force issuing free dog bags to owners without them as well as up to £75.00 on-the-spot fines to those seen leaving dog mess on the ground.

The campaign is a result of ongoing work between the councils and The Regenda Group, Vicinity and Arena Housing Group, known collectively as the Merseyside Cleaner Greener Partnership (MCSGP).

For several years the partnership has campaigned to bring about positive change, that will rid neighbourhoods of litter, graffiti, fly-tipping and now dog fouling.

The push is connected to Keep Britain Tidys national dog fouling campaign that ran last month and highlighted the case of Aimee Langdon who lost 75% sight in one eye after falling onto dog mess in her local park.

More than 90 councils supported that campaign, including Liverpool and Wirral and now it is being spread out to the rest of the region with the message that bagged dog mess can be placed in any bin.

Phil Barton from Keep Britain Tidy said:- "Removing dog fouling from our streets is costly and time consuming for councils, by taking a united approach, authorities in Merseyside are showing that they are serious about ending this problem for good."

Light Show for Chinese Arch

A new £25,000 feature lighting scheme, which will dramatically improve the way the Arch is illuminated, will be switched on this week.

The new lighting scheme provides a colour wash over the Arch and colour change on the front face. Additional lights will highlight the dragons at the base of the Arch. The colour change sequence and times have been agreed in consultation with the Chinese community who have been very enthusiastic about the new-look for the Arch.

A new column with low energy light fixings has been put in as part of the scheme.

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said:- “This scheme for the Chinese Arch is part of our feature lighting programme for significant buildings in the city. It has given a new image to our city centre and provides an extra dimension to our architecture. This new scheme will make the Chinese Arch even more attractive and give a welcome boost to the area.”

“The Chinese Arch has become one of the most striking images of Liverpool since it was unveiled 10 years ago and the new lighting scheme will make it even more attractive. However, the Chinese Arch is not just about providing a landmark structure in the city. When it opened it was said that it should be a catalyst for inward investment and add to the confidence of the area. We now want to build on our presence at the World Expo in Shanghai and develop closer links between our city and China. We intend to rejuvenate Chinatown as a key part of our drive to encourage greater links with China and lead to more investment and the improvements to the Arch are part of that process.” said Councillor Nick Small, cabinet member for employment and skills.

Councillor Small, who is leading the city council’s efforts in developing closer collaboration between Liverpool and China following the World Expo, will switch on the new lighting scheme at 6pm on Thursday, 11 November 2010.

The Chinese Arch, in Nelson Street, opened in 2000. It is the largest in Europe standing 13.5 metres high and has 200 hand carved dragons.