To help save your street, you could try to find out who in your local council is responsible for streets and roads and talk or write to them directly. However, one of the problems is that responsibility is often split between different departments with no-one taking over-all charge.
Lobby your Council
In might be better to lobby your local councillor and get him or her to put pressure on the council officers to improve. To find out who they are, look at your local authority's website which you can find by going to www.direct.gov.uk or www.upmystreet.com.
In early 2005, English Heritage sent Streets for All manuals to the highways staff in all local authorities. These contained advice specific to your region, demonstrating the rich variety of street design traditions in your area and the benefits of removing clutter. Ask how this guidance has been implemented in your area.
Conduct a Street Audit
Download a street audit form here and count the clutter near you. You could audit the street or road where you live, or your local high street for example. Send the completed form to your local councillor.
The more street audits councillors receive, the more they will be aware of the scale of the problem and of public concern. If you belong to a local group of any kind you might want to photocopy the form and get everyone to do it. If each member of the group audits a different street you will be able to see which is the best and worst street in your area.
Members of the Women's Institute, our official Save Our Streets campaign partners, have been doing street audits, and we aim to encourage Scouts and other youth and education groups to take part. But anyone can do a street audit (see Related Publications above).
Talk to the Press
Help raise public awareness and make this an issue your council cannot ignore by getting coverage in local newspapers and on local radio and television. Help us extend the reach of our national press campaign by taking photos of bad street clutter near you and sending them to your local press. You could send them a copy of our press release and suggest they contact the English Heritage Press Office for more information on 020 7973 3250.
Local press will also be interested in the results of any street audits, particularly if you have come up with a 'best' and 'worst' example.
Spread the Word
English Heritage has produced a Save Our Streets CD-Rom which is in the form of an illustrated talk by Philip Davies, Director of the Save Our Streets campaign. If you would like a copy to show to a local group, please contact English Heritage Customer Services on 0870 333 1181.
Other Organisations
Fortunately English Heritage is not alone in wanting to improve England's streets. These organisations, some of which have local branches, are doing their own work to highlight the problem and would be glad of your support.
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
020 7981 2800
email: info@cpre.org.uk
website: www.cpre.org.uk
CPRE campaigns to protect the beauty, tranquility and diversity of the countryside. Its Clutter Challenge campaign aims to reduce the creeping urbanisation of the countryside from excessive signage, road markings and other street clutter.
Living Streets
0207 377 4914
email: info@livingstreets.org.uk
website: www.livingstreets.org.uk
Living Streets works to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk.
Civic Voice
0151 708 9920
email: info@civicvoice.org.uk
website: www.civicvoice.org.uk
Street Pride is Civic Voice's national campaign supporting local action to help rid our streets of unnecessary clutter.
