Bedford Borough Council is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing chewing gum cleaning project funded by the Chewing Gum Task Force. Targeted clean-up efforts are underway in Bedford town centre. These have started with the Midland Road, from River Street to Silver Street, and will move on to Mill Street, Silver Street, and areas around Bedford Bus Station. This project, running through to the end of October, is supported by a nearly £30,000 grant secured by the council to tackle the persistent issue of chewing gum litter.
The council has deployed its existing specialist gum-cleaning equipment and additional operatives and consumables dedicated to this task to restore the cleanliness and appearance of the town centre pavements. In collaboration with Keep Britain Tidy and funded by major chewing gum manufacturers including Mars Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle, this initiative also focuses on behavioural change alongside physical cleaning to encourage responsible gum disposal.
Councillor Nicola Gribble, Portfolio Holder for Environment, commented on the progress, “We understand how frustrating chewing gum litter can be for residents, businesses, and visitors. It’s unsightly, difficult to remove, and detracts from the charm of our beautiful town. Thanks to this funding from the companies that produce chewing gum, we are able to give Bedford’s town centre pavements a fresh start.
“Our dedicated teams are making significant progress in cleaning these key streets, and through ongoing awareness campaigns, we are promoting the simple message to bin your gum, not drop it. Together, we can keep Bedford a welcoming place for all.”
The council reminds the public that dropping chewing gum on pavements is a form of littering, subject to a Fixed Penalty Notice of £150, escalating up to a maximum penalty of £2,500 on conviction.
For more information on the project and how to help keep Bedford Borough tidy, please visit the council’s dedicated webpage at www.bedford.gov.uk/litter and the national campaign at www.keepbritaintidy.org.
This targeted clean-up and behaviour change project is part of a wider government strategy to regenerate high streets and build community pride, with other similar projects nationally achieving up to an 80% reduction in gum litter within just two months.
