Orpington 1st BID is funding the removal of chewing gum from the high street. Veolia operatives have already begun the clean-up, which is expected to take several weeks.
The work, which falls outside the council's standard contract for street cleaning services, coincides with the imminent summer planting programme and the installation of flower cubes, as well as Orpington's participation in the boroughwide programme of events for London Festival of Architecture - a celebration of placemaking.
The specialised machines used by operatives use heat and an environmentally responsible gum detergent utilising raw materials from renewable resources. The solution is biodegradable, phosphate free, non-corrosive and has a neutral pH.