What do we do?

 

Cleaner Streets

The Kingstonfirst Operations Team, headed by Lucinda Raggett, works to enhance the Kingston environment. Often, this means that the Rangers deal with all the things that no-one else wants to deal with- graffiti removal, chewing gum removal, clearing of fly-tips and street washing. It also includes activities such as the Cardboard recycling scheme, Tidy Business Awards and the Junior Ranger programme.

And, not forgetting - the Operations Team fund Kingston's hanging baskets.

Here's more information on some of the environmental activities run by Kingstonfirst.

Click on an option below for more information.



 

Chewing Gum
Gum Removal
  • Over 45,000 sq metres of pavement is steam cleaned each year- that's the same as 4 ½ football pitches.
  • As the work is quite messy and disruptive, the cleansing is completed during the night time.
  • Over 3,150,000,000 pieces of gum have been removed since the start of the BID.
gum removal gum removal
Before After

 

gum target
Gum Targets
  • To try and prevent gum being dropped, 20 gum targets have been installed around the town centre.
  • They display fun and engaging tear off sheets that encourage people to dispose of their gum responsibly.
  • Over 1000 pieces of gum are deposited on the 20 targets each week.
  • They really are disgusting, but we think they’re worth it!




 

Graffiti Removal

Kingstonfirst Rangers aim to remove graffiti, stickers and fly posts within 24 hours.

If you see any graffiti, phone the Kingstonfirst office on 020 8547 1221 or the Rangers on 07776 134040 and tell us where it is. The phones are staffed 7 days a week.

Please note, that for graffiti at high levels, or on certain surfaces (such as marble or stone), we may need to call in Community Clean, a specialist contractor, so removal may take longer.

riverside before riverside after
Riverside before Riverside after



 


junior ranger scheme
Junior Ranger Scheme

This is a new scheme working with local schools to promote work of the Ranger Team and includes a town centre visit focusing on environmental BID projects.

The pilot programme was run with Latchmere School in 2008 and the Rangers enjoyed it so much that we have decided to make it a permanent fixture in our calendar.









 

Seasonal Planting

Kingstonfirst fund the 265 town centre hanging baskets, and manage their ongoing maintenance. In addition to this we also install 10 planters to road barriers to brighten up key locations.

A number of brick planters decorate the town, and we make sure these are planted in both summer and winter. This includes the area outside Kingston Station.

Kingstonfirst worked with our partners Boxgreen, the Royal Borough of Kingston and Quadron to achieve these colourful results.

seasonal planting seasonal planting


 

Street Furniture
Upgrade

Since the start of the BID, Kingstonfirst has worked with the local council to upgrade the street furniture in Kingston. We now have new signage, improved seating and an increased provision in litter bins.

before after
Before After


street furniture
Maintenance

Every summer, the Rangers complete a painting programme. Starting at 6am to avoid the crowds, guard rails, cycle racks and lamp columns get a new coat of paint.








 

Street Washing

Every day our Ranger team take the Tennant 7400 Street Washer out around town.

This environmentally friendly machine recycles its own water whilst cleaning over 1 mile of the BID area daily.

Kingstonfirst also funds the cleansing of many of Kingston’s previously forgotten alleyways and footways through our partner, Veolia.

street washing