Southsea trial paves the way for cleaner shopping precincts

Portsmouth City Council are trialling enhanced street cleaning measures with the aim of improving the appearance of shopping precincts in the city.

The eight-week trial is taking place in Palmerston Road, and will see areas of the pavement between Costa Coffee and Marmion Road receiving additional cleaning three times a week.

The paving will be machine-cleaned with a hot jet wash to see whether it would be practical to use this technique to make a long-term improvement to the area.

If the method proves successful, it could also be introduced to precincts in the city centre and Cosham.

Councillor Linda Symes, the council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, and Sport, said: “It is very important that we make the most of the shopping areas we have and do everything we can to ensure they are as attractive as possible for people to visit.

“I’m pleased we’re doing this trial, and hope we can find an affordable way to enhance the appearance of precincts across the city.”