Newport West AM Rosemary Butler has welcomed new moves to clean up the city's environment. Nearly thirty thousand pounds have been allocated to schemes in two areas of Newport West.

The Echo Community Group in Stow Hill will be given £15,000 for a feasibility study into street access, rubbish disposal, poor surfaces and cluttered pavements. Further funding maiy be sought in 2008-9.

In Bettws more than £14,000 will be used on projects involving CCTV cameras and other equipment, in a bid to clean up and maintain the local shopping area. Through the Bettws Tenants and Residents' Association the local community will provide the labour force and take responsibility for maintenance.

Rosemary Butler said:

"Litter, graffiti  and access difficulties create serious problems in these two areas, and I'm delighted that the Assembly is able to give local communities the chance to do something about it.

 ''The Assembly is also planning tough action on recycling, litter, dog fouling, graffiti and fly-tipping by seeking new powers for the Assembly Government over environmental protection.

''Cleaning up our environment helps to improve people's quality of life", she said."We need safer, cleaner and greener places to live in, and today's news shows that the Assembly is serious about giving Newport the sort of environment that most people want."

Tuesday, January 22