Road users urged to help reduce roadside litter

Motorway

The Highways Agency is calling on road users to help tackle roadside litter on motorways and major A roads.

The Agency removed 6,700 sacks of litter from motorways in the North West in April 2011. It also collects around 240,000 sacks of litter from England’s motorways every year, and is asking road users to make sure their rubbish is responsibly disposed of.

Roads Minister Mike Penning said: “We have a simple ‘Bag it, Bin it!’ message: an easy way to help us reduce litter is for drivers to keep a bag in their vehicle to store rubbish, and dispose of it safely. If we all took this simple step, it would be a really positive move in tackling roadside litter.”

Environment Minister Lord Henley said: “Throwing rubbish out of a car window is completely antisocial and unnecessary. We are always looking at ways to crack down on drivers who litter our roads instead of doing the right thing - holding on to their rubbish until they find a bin.’

Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Phil Barton said: “Litter is a blight on our environment, making places look unloved and run-down. It is time for us all to take some pride in our country – to love where we live.”

The Agency is also working to encourage commercial vehicle operators to ensure their vehicles do not spill litter or debris. In North West England, Highways Agency Traffic officers and contractors will report any spillages from commercial vehicles to the regional Traffic Commissioner, and operators will be warned that their licences could be at risk if loads are not properly secured.