As the annual problem of leaf fall heads towards its peak, Haringey Council has agreed to give greater priority to leaf clearance in some key Highgate roads, and to consider them for more street sweeping in future.

Local Highgate councillors and Lynne Featherstone have been raising the issue with the Council on behalf of residents. The Council has agreed that North Hill and North Road, key routes through the village with many mature trees, should be placed on a ‘priority route’ for leaf clearance this year.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“I am pleased that North Hill and North Road are now on a ‘priority route’ for leaf clearance, but I will be watching developments closely, as Haringey’s record over the leaf problem has been woefully inadequate in previous years. Haringey also needs to look at its systems. Often, leaves are swept into piles, and just left for collection later – which of course means the leaves just start to blow around the street, making the sweep up a huge waste of effort.”

Local councillor Neil Williams adds:

“Both these roads are important link roads in Highgate, and last year the leaf problem was appalling. The present street sweeping regime, let alone the leaf problem, is not sufficient. The Council has told me that they are now considering increasing the sweeping frequencies in both roads, which is long overdue. We will continue to press for this route through the village to be treated as a main artery, and to receive much more frequent street sweeping as a result.”