Romford town centre market cleaning times may be extended

Romford town centre cleaners may work later into the evening after concerns were raised over rubbish “lying around” on market days.

Conservative councillor Nisha Patel asked about the cleaning times during a Romford Council meeting on Wednesday (July 12).

The St Edwards ward councillor said new arrangements had town centre cleaners finishing at 6pm, when traders are still packing up.

She claimed that a “large amount of litter” is left behind until 9pm “on a regular basis” and she has witnessed rubbish “lying around” at night.

“Will the administration commit to a later finish for town centre cleaning?”, she asked.

In response, Havering Council leader Cllr Ray Morgan said that under current terms, cleaning at the town centre can take place until 7.30pm.

He added the council’s team is working with stakeholders on site to ensure they “take responsibility” for their refuse and “control” any waste they might have generated.

Nonetheless, he suggested that the council could consider changing these hours if need be.

He said: “The street cleaning department is currently reviewing operations to ensure that market areas are cleaned to a good standard following market operations.”