Graffiti removal remains a priority
Dudley Council’s street scene team responded to over 150 call outs about graffiti over the summer.
Between the start of July and the end of September, the council received 160 calls about graffiti. These response calls also addressed moss removal, weeding, and street furniture cleansing using the high pressure steamer.
The team has tackled all the areas affected, prioritising removal of offensive material in the first instance. In these cases, the council usually removes it the same day and always within 24 hours. They respond to all calls and are often called out to treat walls, fences, road signs, bridges, and BT boxes.
The team has a whole host of tools they use for graffiti removal. These include low tech solutions such as painting over graffiti, use of a high power hot water jet, the heat of the water means fewer or in many instances, no chemicals are needed. When they are, operatives use a paint remover based on orange oils which dissolves paint in one or two treatments. Being naturally based, it is environment and wildlife safe and all residue is completely rainwater soluble.
As well as graffiti removal the different teams also empty bins, remove fly tipping, animal carcasses and dog mess. They also co-ordinate road sweeping around the borough tackling general detritus in both the footways and channels. The teams also undertake the installation of free-standing litter bins around the borough, cleanse public toilets and respond to road traffic accidents. The response teams work closely with different community groups organising community days where litter picking, and removal of fly tipping takes place in a hot spot area. The response team follow up with the removal of the waste that is left in a safe location.
Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environmental services, said:
“We always respond to complaints about graffiti. We want our residents to have a clean and tidy borough and to feel pride in their communities.
“Graffiti removal costs the authority around £100,000 a year in terms of staff, vehicles, equipment and chemicals. I would encourage people to continue to report any such incidents or any other street cleaning requirements to Dudley Council Plus via the reporting forms on the council website or by calling 0300 555 2345."