The world-famous streets of Notting Hill are facing a less glamorous aftermath following the annual carnival, as council workers declare war on a sea of nitrous oxide canisters.
Kensington and Chelsea Council has launched a major clean-up operation to tackle the thousands of small metal canisters—commonly known as 'laughing gas' containers—that littered the pavements and roads in the wake of the celebrations.
A Metallic Carpet of Litter
Shocking photographs reveal the sheer scale of the problem, showing entire sections of pavement completely covered by a silvery carpet of discarded canisters. The clean-up is a monumental task for the council's street teams, who are working to return the area to its normal state.
The council has taken a firm stance, announcing its intention to use CCTV footage to identify individuals responsible for the mess and issuing them with Fixed Penalty Notices. This move signals a zero-tolerance approach to the antisocial behaviour associated with the drug's use.
The Legal Crackdown on Laughing Gas
This crackdown comes just months after nitrous oxide was reclassified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The ban, which came into force last November, means possession of the substance for its psychoactive effects is now illegal and can result in up to two years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.
Despite the new law, its widespread use at the Carnival highlights the challenges authorities face in enforcement. A council spokesman emphasised their commitment, stating: "We are determined to keep our borough clean... We will be reviewing CCTV and if we can identify those individuals who dumped this rubbish, we will fine them."
The clean-up serves as a stark reminder that the festivities' colourful legacy is now accompanied by a more problematic one of illegal waste and substance abuse.
