A month after her election as Ealing Central and Acton MP, Rupa Huq can lay claim to cleaning up the town.
The Labour politician and ‘new broom’ joined borough councillors Binda Rai and Bassam Mahfouz and a group of volunteers to spruce up Uxbridge Road, West Ealing in preparation for the pavement being jet washed and waste bins cleaned.
It was part of a three day event called Cleaning West Ealing, from May 28-30, organised by InWestEaling, an organisation funded by local businesses, and in partnership with Ealing Council and recycling contractors Amey and First Mile.
Volunteers joined in mopping, painting, sweeping, recycling, paint scraping, sanding, and planting. Drains were cleared at Green Man Passage and telephone boxes washed.
There was a ‘waste amnesty’ for businesses to throw away unwanted items in skips provided.
Phil Hall, chairman of InWestEaling said: “It was a great opportunity to focus time and attention on West Ealing and for groups to come together to make a visible impact on our high street.”
Cllr Mahfouz, the borough’s cabinet member for transport and environment, praised the initiative and said he had been delighted to see businesses doing their part in “making West Ealing a vibrant and clean place to live, work and relax”.
Later, Ms Huq joined Ealing cabinet member for health and wellbeing Cllr Hitesh Tailor and deputy mayor Cllr Patricia Walker in East Acton where the three tried their hand at graffiti art.
An organised ‘graffiti-permitted-zone’ was created on the hoardings around The Collective's housing project regenerating a block of accommodation in NW10 for students and young working professionals. The Collective describes itself as a progressive property development and management company providing innovative living and working environments with a focus on community and convenience.
The idea was to brighten up the building site while works continue pending its opening next year. Graffiti artists attended from as far afield as Bristol as well as other parts of London.
Stephanie Cornell, head of communications for The Collective, said: "We like think outside the box and hosting a Paint Jam is a fun and different way to bring to life the building site. It’s a great way to get the community involved and to get them excited about the upcoming scheme, as well as to get a better feel for who we are and what we represent."
Ms Huq said “It may seem a bit contradictory to be removing graffiti in west Ealing in the morning then applying graffiti in East Acton in the afternoon but the two things at opposite ends of the seat shows how diverse Ealing Central and Acton is.
“Both events were very family oriented with kids and parents mucking in which I feel is much of the character of Ealing, Acton, Chiswick and the NW10 part of the borough bordering Harlesden where the paint jam took place.”
