Lewisham Council has launched a consultation asking residents and businesses for their views on ways to improve street cleanliness in busy shopping areas across the borough.
The consultation forms part of Love Lewisham, the Council’s campaign to tackle litter, rubbish and fly-tipping and make neighbourhoods cleaner and greener.
Earlier this year, the Council spoke to local businesses, residents living above shops and people living near busy shopping areas to better understand the challenges they face. What people said helped shape this consultation and the ideas being considered.
Important: Household collections on residential streets will not change.
This consultation will not affect household rubbish and recycling collections on residential streets.
Any future changes to collections would only be considered for businesses and residents living above shops in busy shopping areas where there are ongoing problems with litter, rubbish and fly-tipping.
Have your say on a range of ideas
The consultation asks for views on a range of ideas to improve street cleanliness in busy shopping areas.
Ideas that could affect businesses and residents living above shops:
- timed rubbish and recycling collections in busy shopping areas
- bin and bag storage units in busy shopping areas
- stronger action against businesses that repeatedly break rubbish and recycling rules
- improvements to rubbish and recycling services for residents living above shops
The consultation also asks for views on:
- which busy shopping areas would benefit from more litter bins
Everyone can have their say on the ideas in this consultation, although some proposals would only affect businesses and residents living above shops if they were introduced.
Councillor Corin Ashwell, Cabinet Member for Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action, said:
“Our shopping areas are some of the busiest and most important places in Lewisham. They are places where people shop, work, spend time with friends and family and, for many residents, call home.
“We know that businesses and people living above shops often face different challenges when it comes to managing rubbish and recycling. Many have limited storage space and share busy streets and pavements with lots of other people.
“When rubbish builds up, it can affect everyone who lives, works and spends time there. We want our high streets to be clean, welcoming places that people can be proud of. Places where local businesses can thrive, residents enjoy living and visitors want to return to.
“That’s why we’re asking people to help shape the next steps and tell us which ideas they think could make the biggest difference.”
Complete the consultation online
Paper copies of the survey are available on request – email the Council’s Recycling Advisor team with the subject line “Love Your High Streets consultation – paper copy request” and a member of the team will be able to help.
The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 12 January 2027.
