A MAJOR clean-up campaign in Banbury has been welcomed by the town's business community.

Banbury and District Chamber of Commerce chairman Tony Ilott said the week-long, spring clean was a welcome initiative that would make a big difference.

Banbury's shopping streets were the latest areas to see Cherwell District Council's "neighbourhood blitz'" team - a squad of workers who carry out extra sweeping, the clearing of graffiti, organising waste collections for bulky items, and giving doorstep recycling advice to residents and businesspeople.

Last week the blitz team visited 600 homes and businesses.

The majority of people spoken to said they felt the town centre was either very or fairly clean. More than 30 residents ordered extra recycling boxes.

Mr Ilott said: "Part of the Chamber's work is to promote Banbury to companies who are looking for a new home or a new outlet. "Initiatives that keep Banbury looking spick and span, certainly make our job easier. The spring clean makes Banbury a more pleasant town in which to work, rest, and play."

Kieron Mallon, the council's executive member for the environment, said: "As with our earlier blitzes in Neithrop and Hardwick in Banbury, and in Bicester and Kidlington, the response from the public has been encouraging.

"Thanks to the efforts of our blitz team and residents who identified areas that needed extra work, Banbury town centre has had a really good early spring clean.

"We're determined to build on this and will be talking to businesses, residents and the town council about ideas for further improvements.

"But it is the people who live, work and visit the town centre who can play a big part in keeping it clean, tidy and attractive."

  • Neighbourhood blitzes are part of Cherwell's "cleaner greener" campaign - an environmental initiative that aims to build on the success of the recycling scheme that put Cherwell among the country's top recyclers.