Merton Council’s street cleaning crews will sweep up over 100 tonnes of leaves during the autumn months, focusing on the streets with the most trees around the borough.

With over 220,000 street trees in Merton, the council’s street crews will be suspending their normal sweeping schedule to make sure the streets with the most leaf-fall are cleared. Residents with compost bins can help by collecting leaves from outside their homes and composting them for their garden. People can also help by not sweeping leaves from their gardens, drives or pavements into the road, as this may block the gullies and could cause flooding. If residents see a build-up of leaves, they can call the team by visiting merton.gov.uk/street-cleaning or calling 0208 274 4902.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for environmental cleanliness and parking, Councillor Judy Saunders said: “Our team will be out around the clock making sure that the roads are well swept and cleared of leaves but it would be a great help if residents composted leaves from the front of their home. As well as clogging gullies, the leaves can cause the footpaths and roads to become slippery.”

To order a compost bin call 0844 571 4444 or visit www.merton.gov.uk/composting

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