RESIDENTIAL streets in Crewe are being targeted for a tidy-up as part of a pilot scheme.

The Cheshire East Council initiative, in partnership with Crewe Town Council, aims to spruce up 26 streets and their alleyways, which have been blighted by poor waste management, including bin contamination and fly-tipping.

They are in the central area of town and include Walthall Street, Ruskin Road and Westminster Street.

Section 46 notices have been issued to all residents in the area spelling out penalties for waste offences and the borough council has pledged to take swift enforcement action against those not complying.

It says the intention is to not only tackle those individuals who commit environmental crime but also reassure innocent residents that such offences will not be tolerated.

Cllr Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East's environment and communities committee, said: "We know that not everyone is doing as they should. That's why we have started this pilot scheme to create a 'one team' approach, capable of cleansing waste, sifting for evidence, activating enforcement investigations and, where necessary, issuing penalties.

"We have been working hard with residents for many months now and have followed the 'Four Es' principles, to engage, educate, encourage and enforce."

Residents in the streets have been leafleted to remind them to:

â— Put the right bins out at the appropriate time and return them to properties promptly

â— Identify bins with house numbers

â— Place bins in designated areas and close bin lids

â— Refrain from putting waste to the side or on bin tops and not storing/dumping waste in alleyways

If successful, the 'one team' cleaner streets pilot could be rolled out across other areas.

It came into effect in Crewe on April 19 and involves the following streets: Chambers Street, South Street, Lawton Street, Maxwell Street, Myrtle Street, Derrington Avenue, Electricity Street, Stalbridge Road, Brooklyn Street, Westminster Street, Walthall Street, Hammond Street, Ruskin Road, Edleston Road, part of Gainsborough Road, Nelson Street, Nile Street, part of Alton Street, part of Catherine Street, Lord Street, Furnival Street, Brook Street, Hope Street, Camm Street, Union Street, Chapel Street and part of South Street.