CHEWING GUM REMOVAL & STREET CLEANING
Ebbw Vale Town Centre - Blaenau Gwent, South Wales, NP23
Client's Challenge
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council contacted APT ICC to address widespread chewing gum deposits, ingrained dirt, algae growth, and surface contamination across multiple live town centre pavements.
High-footfall pedestrian areas had accumulated years of chewing gum staining and embedded grime that standard street-cleaning methods were unable to remove effectively. The condition of the paving negatively affected appearance, cleanliness standards, and public safety.
The works needed to be delivered while town centres remained fully operational, with shops open and continuous pedestrian movement, requiring a specialist contractor experienced in working safely and efficiently in live public environments.
Assessment & Planning
APT ICC met with the client on site to review the areas of concern and assess pavement condition, surface type, contamination levels, and usage patterns across each town centre.
Following this, further discussions were held to agree the most appropriate cleaning methods and the projected results, taking into account the condition of the stone paving and the requirement to maintain public access. Where necessary, sample test areas were completed to demonstrate the level of finish that could be achieved and to confirm the agreed approach prior to rolling out the programme across multiple locations.
This ensured the works were appropriate, effective, and agreed in advance for each town centre.
Methodology
APT ICC delivered the programme using a controlled, multi-method cleaning approach suitable for live public environments.
Super-heated steam cleaning was selected as the primary method for chewing gum removal due to its effectiveness in softening and lifting gum deposits without damaging stone paving. This was combined with jet washing and surface cleaning techniques to remove ingrained dirt and general contamination.
The works were carried out as follows:
1. Targeted chewing gum removal using super-heated steam systems.
2. Jet washing and pressure cleaning to remove loosened residues and ingrained dirt.
3. Floor and maintenance cleaning across high-traffic pedestrian areas to achieve consistent results.
4. Algae removal treatments applied where biological growth was present.
5. Continuous management of work zones, with removed material collected, bagged, and removed from site.
This approach allowed effective cleaning while maintaining public safety and access throughout.
Site Access & Logistics
Equipment
• Super-heated steam cleaning systems
• High-pressure cleaning equipment
• Surface cleaning attachments
• Specialist floor cleaning tools
Chemicals
• Algae Free – Algae Cleaner
• Gum Gone – Chewing Gum Remover
APT ICC in-house specialist cleaning formulations, selected based on surface type and
contamination level.
The Results
• Chewing gum deposits successfully removed across multiple town centres
• Stone paving cleaned and revitalised
• Algae and ingrained dirt eliminated from pedestrian areas
• Improved safety and visual appearance of public walkways
• Areas reopened progressively with no disruption to shops or public access
