Better Bankside ebrief, JULY 2005

Where thereÕs grass, thereÕs muckÉ BB plans to help Cathedral tackle litter problem

Southwark CathedralÕs South Churchyard is BanksideÕs most popular picnicking space. With this comes a huge litter problem.

Thanks to its picturesque location and proximity to Borough Market, Southwark CathedralÕs South Churchyard is a magnet for office workers, shoppers and tourists alike. Attractive it might be Ð with its biblical and Shakespearean-themed planting Ð but this small patch of green comes under immense pressure, particularly in the summer. In particular, users generate a huge amount of waste Ð some 70 bags a day in high season Ð and also degrade the grass.

Following a plea from Colin Slee, Dean of the Cathedral, Better Bankside and Borough Market are endeavouring to find ways in which the impact of the crowds can be reduced. As a first stage, Better BanksideÕs wardens have Ð for the last two weeks Ð been surveying visitors on market days to find out where they come from, whether they are visiting the Cathedral, the Market or other local landmarks, and where they have purchased their food. At the time of writing some 400 survey forms had been completed, with the results due shortly. The wardens are also counting the numbers of people at various points of the day, recording weather conditions and monitoring the litter generated.

Any solution is likely to involve either the deployment of additional cleansing resources, or a contribution from Better Bankside and Borough Market to the CathedralÕs own cleansing operation.

At the time of writing Southwark Council has agreed to supply the Cathedral with waste collection bags and Ð during the summer months Ð to empty the bins in the churchyard three times a day. It will also collect the full bags daily at various set times and from a designated area. The arrangement will be reviewed at the end of summer when the area is not so busy.

Useful Links

Southwark CathedralÕs South Churchyard http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/london.gardens/squares/detail/Southwark.html


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