Wandsworth Council has announced stringent new requirements to keep commercial waste off the borough's streets.

The new rules, which came into effect on Thursday, September 1, will stop restaurants and businesses in Wandsworth leaving refuse on the highway while it awaits collection- instead demanding they store their waste directly adjacent to their entrance.

Businesses are also now prevented from leaving large waste bins unattended on any part of the public highway.

It is hoped that these new regulations will reduce the amount of commercial waste blocking the borough's roads and pavements.

Businesses that flout these rules will render themselves liable to legal action.

Councillor Jonathan Cook, Wandsworth Council's environment spokesman said: “This change will not only help keep our streets clean but should also remove unsightly clutter that obstructs pavements.

“It should mean that residents, visitors and shoppers who come to Wandsworth no longer have to step over piles of binbags and cardboard boxes that have been left out on the footpath by shopkeepers until they are picked up.

“Businesses are already required to comply with a number of rules that cover the disposal of their waste. These are just a sensible and reasonable extension of those existing rules.”

Commercial premises in Wandsworth currently have to adhere to a “time band” system which allocated two-hour windows in which they are permitted to leave their refuse out for collection.

These rule changes now mean that while the same time band rules apply, business owners will need to keep their waste directly outside their premises while it awaits collection.

Councillor Cook added: “These time band rules have been in place for some time and have successfully prevented shopkeepers and other traders putting binbags and unwanted packaging out on the highway whenever they feel like it.

“It has meant that their refuse has had to be removed within a maximum timescale of two hours. If for some reason they are not picked up, the businesses must bring them back inside their premises and wait for the next time band.

“This is an extension of these existing rules and should not cause any undue inconvenience for businesses but they will remove unsightly piles of waste from our town centres and other local shopping parades and make them much more attractive for local people and visitors.”