TORFAEN council is investing £65,000 in a bid to tackle extreme litter blighting the borough.

The significant investment, approved as part of the council’s 2018/19 budget, will see more than 20 extra staff join front line street cleaning teams to address rubbish concerns on residential streets, road verges and cycle paths, as well as in hopping areas, and parks.

The cleaning works, in partnership with Bron Afon, started last week.

Cllr Fiona Cross, who is the executive member for environment on the council, said: “This is a significant investment, both in finances and in staff and volunteer hours, at a time when many services are being cut to the bone, and it really does highlight what could be achieved if we didn’t have to spend so much money cleaning up litter that should never have been dropped in the first place.

“We will be drafting in extra staff and carrying out a deep cleanse of the borough in time for the summer.

“We also intend to clear along the A4042 trunk road which we receive regular complaints about, but actually belongs to Welsh Government.

“We currently also have an army of volunteers supporting our staff and litter picking in their communities as part of the Torfaen Spring Clean.”

The announcement has been welcomed by residents.

Cwmbran homeowner Laura Moir said: “The litter in parts of Torfaen is really bad and I think having extra people to clear it up is good.

“I was walking through Northville last week and the build up of rubbish near the town is disgusting. We could end up with rats.”

Pauline Jones, who lives in Commercial Street, Pontnewydd added: “We should all be happy that money is going towards trying to clean up the area.”