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The University of Sussex’s Housing Services team, who are helping to organise the street clean, outside the Lewes Road shop.

A major road that acts as a gateway to Brighton is to be cleaned and tidied by students and staff from the University of Sussex.

The University of Sussex’s Housing Services team will lead a clean-up of Beaconsfield Road, which is the stretch of the A23 that runs between Preston Park and Preston Circus, on 1 November.

Working alongside Council workers and local residents, the team of students and other volunteers will spend the day clearing rubbish, sweeping pavements and removing graffiti.

It is the second city street to get the treatment this year. The team tackled Viaduct Road in June, leaving with more than 100 bags of rubbish.

The University of Sussex has expanded its community engagement work over the past 18 months, for example by opening a drop-in information centre on Lewes Road.

It has made regular street clean-ups a key part of this activity and has pledged to clean four city streets a year.

John Duffy, the University’s Registrar, said: “In our many meetings and conversations with residents – including with those who come into our shop space in Lewes Road - rubbish and litter comes up as a big concern.

“Certain streets have experienced more waste issues than others and so we have focused on priority areas around London Road, Lewes Road and Hanover.

“Our staff and students are keen to get involved in this kind of activity and we’re exploring ways we can do more.”

The subsequent two street cleans have already been scheduled for 2017 – Wellington Road, in Hanover, in February and, next June, Riley Road and Coombe Road. 

And to make sure streets stay smarter all year round, students are being reminded of some simple tips, such as the importance of taking bins out and in promptly, separating their recycling, and getting to know their neighbours. A redesigned ‘Living in the community’ leaflet is being reissued to all current students.