by Jo Hemmings
I don’t know the answer to this question yet, but we’re trying to find out.
I’ve lived on Lucas street for 15 years and it’s a wonderful place to be. But there’s one thing that really gets me down.
For over a decade, there’s been a spot near Lewisham Way (by the car park and flats at 1-8 Lucas street) which is an eyesore, a health hazard and a source of pollution for local streets and Friendly Gardens. Residents have taken action before, working with the council, and seen temporary improvements. But over the last few months, we have experienced multiple incidents of rubbish overflowing, fly tipping, and waste strewn around our streets (including, on one notable occasion, a foot-long, catering size meat kebab in the road).
After years of walking past tutting, reporting the rubbish via the ‘LoveCleanStreets’ app, and complaining to other neighbours who might be passing, I decided I needed to have a go at tackling this problem, roping in some friends and neighbours who were also keen to take action.
Based on lessons learned in successful campaigning, this is the approach we’re trying:
- Get a broad coalition on board to generate a critical mass of support for the issue, and contribute time, energy and expertise. Firstly, we messaged friends, neighbours and community groups in the local area. We’ve got Oak Gardens Primary School, Friends of Friendly Gardens, St Johns Society and at least 14 local residents on board with taking action. We’ve set up an email list and shared online plan, to keep everyone in the loop.
- Young people at the forefront of the campaign. Oak Gardens has responded brilliantly to our request for partnership: it turns out that they are as fed up of the rubbish and pollution as we are. The school council (representatives of the kids) have done some brainstorming on messaging for the campaign, and they’re going to set up a competition for a campaign name/slogans. One of our neighbours is a fantastic graphic designer so will help turn their ideas into beautiful, compelling communications.
- Work in constructive partnership with duty bearers and businesses (the council, local shops and restaurants, and the management company of 1-8 Lucas st). It’s understandable that residents are completely fed up with the ongoing cycle of waste mismanagement, but we’re trying to take a positive and constructive approach, recognising that many people want to do the right thing, but face constraints and challenges of their own. We’re working with the Environmental Enforcement team, and the Commercial Operations team at Lewisham Council; we’re trying to set up a call with the Lucas St flats management company; and we’re planning to visit the businesses on Lewisham way to understand their perspective and ask them to play their part. Once the local elections have taken place, we’ll ask our local councillors to get behind the campaign.
- Getting to the root drivers of the problem. One of the underlying issues is poor design of the infrastructure, which facilitates illegal and antisocial behaviours such as dumping rubbish and fly-tipping. This isn’t easy to solve, as the car park has ‘reverted to the crown’ (it doesn’t have an owner and is administered by a law firm). Improvements such as lighting, gates, secure rubbish storage etc. are therefore difficult to secure. We are determined to understand and tackle the root causes of the problem, and clarify accountability so that we can reach a sustainable solution.
What next?
We will have a campaign name, identity and creative assets (such as posters and fliers), co-created with Oak Gardens children, very soon. We are pursuing initial meetings with various duty bearers to see what changes they can commit to. We’re photographing and tracking the status of the car park on a daily basis, to build up the evidence base. We are keen to get local businesses and organisations signed up – to receive updates, or to contribute their knowledge or expertise. Please email johemmings@hotmail.com if you’d like to be involved.