
The council`s cleansing teams will be putting on their wet suits and bringing in special equipment, including cranes and pressure hoses, to carry out the hazardous task on Monday May 14 from 2.30pm. There's then a series of events in the Portswood area during the week.
The 23rd CREW will take place in and around Portswood during the week commencing May 14 2007. Southampton City Council, the police and a range of other agencies will focus their attention on the High Street area to work with local businesses and the community to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime and undertake activities to improve and enhance the environment in this neighbourhood.
Activities range from litter picks to graffiti removal and gully clearing. The area will be cleared of rubbish, overgrown hedges will be chopped back, broken fences repaired, graffiti removed and public places spruced up as part of the week long drive to make the neighbourhood sparkle again.
Residents are invited to drop in and meet their local representatives from the council, police, fire service, local businesses and community groups on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons when marquees will be set up outside the Doctor`s Surgery on Portswood High Street.
There will be a 'No Cycling On Pavements' campaign targeting the High Street and free bike safety checks at Portswood Cycles, including a bike marking anti-theft scheme coordinated by Portswood Police.
Portswood residents will be able to request a free home fire safety visit from Hampshire Fire and Rescue who will also install smoke detectors free of charge.
On the Wednesday and Friday mornings between 10am-12 noon, university students will be offering free basic internet and email training for adults at Portswood Library.
To try and combat the graffiti along Portswood High Street various art projects will be taking place during the week. Students from the University of Southampton will be working with young people on designs promoting ` A Better Portswood` which will be painted onto boards and secured over known graffiti in the area.
Photo: Laurence Weedy