A CAMPAIGN to clean up an Oxford housing estate has been hailed a success.

Householders in Rose Hill had been encouraged to spruce up their neighbourhood as part of Oxford City Council’s Cleaner, Greener campaign.

The initiative, which took place over October and November, featured a mass litter pick. Rubbish and recycling problem areas were also targeted.

Rhys Bevan, the city council’s planned operations lead officer, said: “We are delighted with the success of the Cleaner, Greener Oxford campaign in Rose Hill.

“Local residents, businesses and council staff all worked together to help keep their neighbourhood clean, making a big impact in a relatively short period of time.

“The success of the campaign, which included a community litter picking day, demonstrates there is a real appetite from local people to get involved and help make a difference to their community.”

A total of 15 bags of rubbish and 20 sacks of recycling waste were collected by 52 volunteers at the community litter pick in October.

It was organised from the children’s centre in Ashhurst Way.

About 120 homes, identified as having particular problems with rubbish or for failing to correctly recycle waste, received visits from a council team.

Issues have been resolved at 116 of the properties.

Legal notices were also served on 16 homes, with all but three complied with – meaning tidier streets, gardens and public spaces.

Councillor John Tanner, board member for Cleaner, Greener Oxford, said: “I’m really pleased at the thumbs-up Rose Hill residents have given to the city council’s Cleaner, Greener campaign.

“The estate is already looking a lot tidier and I was really impressed by the turnout for the litter pick back in October.”

“I know most Rose Hill residents will want to keep up the high standards for recycling, especially over the Christmas period. The council will be watching for anyone who doesn’t play the game about litter, fly-tipping and putting stuff in the right bin.”

A deep clean of the shopping areas at The Oval and off Courtland Road was carried out by the city council’s Streetscene Team, and new wall-mounted cigarette bins were installed, as well as litter enforcement signs.

Four £80 fixed penalty notices were issued during the campaign and three have been paid.

On-street recycle bins are due to be installed in these areas as a pilot project for on-street recycling outside the city centre.

Other work included Rivermead Nature Reserve, which had been a target for flytipping and was given a makeover, and the entrance to Spencer Crescent recreation ground was cleared of undergrowth and tidied up to improve access to the area.

The area around the footbridge over the bypass from Cottesmore Road to Littlemore will be tidied to make the area cleaner and safer for residents.

Mr Tanner added: “This is not the end of the Cleaner, Greener campaign.

“We will continue our programme of education, encouragement and, when necessary, enforcement against persistent offenders across the city."