A public campaign to clean up the streets has not fallen on deaf ears as a council announced its plans for a “litter bin revolution”.

Residents of Harrow have frequently complained about the cleanliness of their roads and pavements, with fly-tipping and overflowing rubbish a common nuisance.

After several complaints to the council, as well as impassioned campaigns online, it seems as if these concerns will be addressed.  

The council intends to introduce nearly 2,000 bins to the streets, with the focus on areas that need them the most.

Cllr Keith Ferry, responsible for the environment at Harrow Council, said: “Part of making Harrow clean again is giving people enough decent litter bins – so everyone can throw their rubbish away properly.

“They’re easier for us to collect – and they’ll cut down the fly-tipping that is blighting our borough. By the time we’re finished, we’ll have doubled the number of litter bins in Harrow.”

The council noted how particular attention will be given to Harrow and Wealdstone Station, where the bins will be emptied twice a day, and that new bins have been added in Station Road in Harrow town centre.

There are also additional bins in the underpass near Morrisons, where flowerbeds have been treated to deter rats.

The new bins are able to take more rubbish, fitted with an ashtray feature for cigarette ends, have an easy-access postbox-style opening and a heavy, robust, rat-proof base.

Based on the current schedule, 50 bins will be delivered every fortnight by the end of March.

The aim is for 600 to be delivered each year for three years which will double the current litter bin capacity across Harrow.

Caren Duhig, who runs the #Fixit Harrow network and was one of those who highlighted the issue around Harrow and Wealdstone station, welcomed the news.

“The bins were disgusting and they’re right by where the BBC took their footage for the rat problem,” she said.

“They’re always overflowing and the smell when you walk by them is awful. They attract vermin and encourage fly-tipping so something has to change.

“We want people to love their bins and everyone has a responsibility. It’s great to see that Harrow Council wants to do something about it.”