Lib Dems call for cleaner local environment - Toole

10.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 27th Apr 2005

Dr Steven Toole with a ‘clinical waste’ bag abandoned on a street in Plumstead

This weekend in Plumstead Dr Steven Toole, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Erith and Thamesmead constituency, launched this campaign for a cleaner local environment.

Steve has sent out a call to local residents, distributing information asking them to text, email and send photographs to him of local problems which they would like to see action taken to clean up and improve.

Commenting on his campaign, Dr Toole said:

"The state of our local environment across Greenwich and Bexley leaves a lot to be desired with rubbish, graffiti and fly tipping commonplace. For example, figures show that there was a 14% increase in the number of abandoned cars in the boroughs over the last two years for which figures are available.

"Labour claims to be getting a grip of the problem, but that's not how it feels for our residents. The toxic Tories are even worse, as they recently opposed new measures to try and give local authorities more powers to tackle these problems.

"The Liberal Democrats are campaigning for a better and cleaner local environment. We want to hear from anyone with similar concerns and specific examples of problems, from which we shall compile a dossier of where we will be pursuing action.

"We have to find new and innovative ways on communicating with the electorate, with too many of the voters of this area feel detached from the political process. That is why I am offering new ways in which voters an send on their concerns, for example by asking voters to text me photos on 07910 877786 of problems taken on their camera phones, as well as the more traditional route of contacting me in writing or by phone.

"In all of these ways, together, we can begin to improve our local environment with cleaner streets and green spaces."