For nearly three years, piles of rubbish gathered beneath the railway bridge connecting Perryn Road to Goldsmith Avenue in Central Acton, a forgotten patch hidden from sight, yet impossible to ignore.
Furniture, old clothes, beer bottles, even discarded nitrous oxide canisters littered the ground. It was a sad reflection of how easily spaces can be left behind. This is where Acton Litter picking volunteers came along to bring life to this forgotten area.
An Eyesore Beneath the Steps
The area below the steps leading to the bridge had become a dumping ground. A locked gate offered little to deter those looking for a secluded hangout. People climbed over, used the space, and left behind a trail of rubbish.
One Saturday, 18 People, 52 bags of Activism
On a crisp Saturday morning in mid-September, change took hold. Eighteen local residents, aged from 8-80, pulled on gloves, grabbed litter pickers, and got to work.
The cleanup was organised by LAGER Can (Litter Action Group for Ealing Residents) a volunteer community founded in 2017 that has since grown to over 2,000 members. Their mission is important: make the London Borough of Ealing’s open spaces cleaner and greener.
Together, they cleared 40 bags of rubbish, 12 bags of recycling, and a number of unbaggable large items in just under two hours. The space beneath the bridge transformed before their eyes, once an area of waste and neglect was now a clean, non-toxic, green space.
“Neither Ealing Council nor Network Rail had responsibility for this tiny patch of neglected ground, so our community had to step up and wade in to make it better.” —Sara Nathan, Co-coordinator of the event
Changing Human Behaviour, Not Just Spaces
For LAGER Can, the goal goes beyond cleaning up — it’s about changing human behaviour. Each cleanup sends a message: we care about this space. That visibility helps challenge the idea that littering is “someone else’s problem.”
Working closely with Ealing Council, the group raises awareness about fly-tipping, encourages responsible waste disposal, and inspires others to take agency over their surroundings.
Setbacks Happen, But So Does Progress
Of course, change doesn’t happen overnight. By the end of the following week, new litter had appeared, a rolled-up carpet and a few empty canisters. But for LAGER Can, this is all part of the cause. Change doesn’t come from a single morning of effort but a continuous return. They will continue to keep their community clean and volunteers are working towards commissioning art for the railway bridge.
“Consistency is critical. If we clean up regularly, the fly-tips and litter lessen in intensity and our area looks loved and much cleaner.” —Sara Nathan, Co-coordinator of the event
Consistency Make a Difference
Every act counts. Whether it’s picking up a stray bottle on your morning walk or joining the next clean-up, each effort helps keep Ealing vibrant and safe.
So next time you see a piece of litter on the ground, don’t walk past it. Pick it up for your neighbours, for your environment, for yourself. Community doesn’t happen by accident, it’s a collective effort.
For more information about the LAGER Can and ways to get involved, head over to their website.
Written by Mia Alberro, a freelance writer passionate about understanding human behaviour to drive positive change for a more sustainable future.
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