1,000 road sweepers trained to provide excellent customer service and give directions
Today 1000 road sweepers have taken to the streets of London tasked not only with keeping the city looking tidy but also to provide advice to help tourists navigate their way around the capital this Summer.
With the estimated 4 million tourists descending upon the city over the Summer months many will be relying on the people on the street for their knowledge and knowhow to get around. Each sweeper has been trained to provide excellent customer service and many have been equipped with handy pocket-sized maps to give visitors a sweep in the right direction.
This unusual tourist advice service has been launched by Veolia Environmental Services, the UK’s leading recycling and waste management company, and will be located in areas of four of the capital’s key boroughs that are set to receive a high influx of visitors: Camden, Lambeth, Tower Hamlets and Westminster.
Cllr Ed Argar, cabinet member for city management, said: “Our street sweepers and bin men are some of the friendliest faces in town. So much so, that as well as keeping the city clean, they often become the unofficial tour guides for London. This initiative will increase that engagement and make the millions of people expected this summer feel even more welcome.”
Pascal Hauret, Municipal Services Director London for Veolia Environmental Services, said: “Being in a large city such as London can be a daunting experience. When tourists see someone on the street wearing a high-visibility jacket they immediately go to them for help and guidance.
“We wanted to make sure we helped keep London moving this summer so we have trained our staff to ensure they are polite, courteous and be as helpful as possible at all times, pointing them in the right direction and helping them find all the tourist sights the capital has to offer.”
Jeremy Brinkworth, VisitEngland’s Head of Business Development said: “This is a great example of how England is pulling together to ensure all our visitors during this amazing year are given an outstanding welcome. We are sure that London’s road sweepers will help to form a great first impression for visitors from throughout the UK and overseas.”