Cleaner City Needed All-Year-Round

12.00.00am GMT Wed 13th Feb 2008

Labour's Failure to Clean Manchester's Streets Properly Brings 40% Increase in Rat Numbers

Manchester's Liberal Democrats have condemned Labour's 100 Day Challenge, launched this week, as a "pre-election publicity gimmick." Manchester's 32 Lib Dem Councillors are calling for a "Clean up Manchester" campaign to clean up the city and recycle more all-year-round, not just for the 100 days before the local elections.

The move comes as new figures reveal the consequences of Labour's failure to keep our city clean - rat infestations here have increased 40% in 3 years, according to figures released by the Council last month.

Lib Dem Deputy Leader Councillor Paul Shannon said:

"Liberal Democrats want to see a cleaner, greener Manchester all year round. That means better street-cleaning services week-in, week-out."

"Lib Dems will make our streets Cleaner and Greener by spending extra on an environmental "Clean Up the City" campaign. We will take more action against those who dump rubbish in our City. We will target and prosecute offenders, publicising those who wreck our local environment. We will use CCTV and a targeted enforcement team to take the dumpers head-on. We will also improve Labour's poor record on enforcing and collecting litter fines."

Cllr Shannon concluded:

"Lib Dems expect more Green Action for Manchester - if it can be done for 100 days, why not 365 days of the year?"

End

February 2008 Manchester Council figures show that in just 3 years since 2004, there has been a 40% increase in rat infestations here in Manchester, from 1938 to 2716.