The gum clean-up activity in Sidcup High Street and around Sidcup Station is well underway.

It was paid for by the Chewing Gum Task Force following the Council's successful funding application. The clean-up activity is run by Keep Britain Tidy and will continue until October.

Estimates suggest the annual clean-up cost of chewing gum for Councils in the UK is around £7 million.

Bexley's Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor Richard Diment, went to see the progress in Sidcup earlier this week.

Discarded chewing gum is considered one of the most difficult types of litter to remove from pavements due to its non-biodegradable, plastic-based composition, which allows it to stick firmly and stubbornly to surfaces over time. Specialist equipment is used by operatives to slowly and meticulously remove it. 

New signage has also been put up in Sidcup to encourage people to bin their gum. Look out for the new furry friends signs and make sure you dispose of your chewing gum properly. Anyone witnessed littering chewing gum will get a £300 fine.

A similar clean-up operation took place on the Broadway in Bexleyheath in 2024. If the opportunity arises, the Council will apply for further funding from Keep Britain Tidy to allow us to focus on another shopping area within the Borough.