Highways England is calling on drivers to join them in doing their
bit to reduce litter levels on the nation's motorways as part of
the Great British Spring Clean (28 May-13 June).
Litter
presents a serious safety risk and besides being unsightly, it’s
also a risk to wildlife and the environment. So, Highways
England has joined Keep Britain Tidy’s Million Mile Mission to
help clear litter from the roads.
Highways
England litter picks somewhere on its network almost every day.
It’s taking part in Keep Britain Tidy’s campaign, helping by
keeping England’s motorways safe and well-maintained while also
encouraging drivers to take their litter home. Last year the
company collected 12,000 bags of litter during the Great British
Spring Clean.
Highways
England’s Head of Customer and Operational Requirements, Freda
Rashdi, said:
“We’re
urging road users to save litter for the bin. The simple fact is
that if litter wasn’t dropped in the first place it wouldn’t need
to be picked up. Litter is not only unsightly and a risk to
wildlife and the environment, but it also puts our workers at
risk collecting it. It diverts time and money that could be
better spent on improving the network.
“Litter
is an important national issue and we’re pleased to join with
Keep Britain Tidy in urging people to take their litter home and
help make a difference.”
In the
run up to the campaign Highways England has already been busy
working with local authorities and litter groups.
In the
South East, Highways England worked with Brighton and Hove and
Adur and Worthing councils for a litter pick on the
A27 at
Southwick. Over 138 bags were collected. And this month a litter
pick will be taking place off the A31 at
Avons Heath Country Park.
near Ringwood, Dorset.
In the
Midlands, more than 70 bags of rubbish, as well as a mattress and
a 1,000-litre oil drum, were collected from the A38 in
Staffordshire when Highways England, Kier and East Staffordshire
District Council took advantage of the road being closed for some
utility works.
Earlier
this year Highways England worked closely with North Lincolnshire
and North East Lincolnshire Councils to address an ongoing
problem with excessive littering in 23 lay-bys on the A180, many
of which are frequently used by HGVs travelling to and from the
Immingham & Grimsby ports. Funding was secured to install
anti-littering signs and carry out extensive vegetation clearance
and clear fly-tipping.
This
year a number of Highways England colleagues will again ‘be part
of the pick’ by taking part in volunteer litter picks in their
local communities, including Corporate Customer Engagement
Programme Manager, Clare Ball.
Clare
said:
“It’s
great to be a part of something to be proud of, making a
difference in the environment around you for you and others to
enjoy. I got my eight-year-old daughter, Grace, involved and she
loved it and has been out litter picking several times since as
it made her feel good through doing good.
“Get
involved. You get out in the fresh air, a bit of exercise,
cleaning up where you live and setting a good example to
others.”
Allison
Ogden-Newton, CEO of Keep Britain Tidy said:
“It is
great that Highways England support the Great British Spring
Clean by doing dedicated, deep cleans of problem areas.
“But our
message to the public is clear – please do not be tempted to
litter pick on motorways; Highways England will do this as it is
extremely dangerous but equally to everyone, please, please,
please do not throw anything from your car. To do so is putting
wildlife and other people’s lives at risk”.
The
Great British Spring Clean campaign takes place between 28 May
and 13 June, however Highways England picks litter throughout the
year. Highways England is responsible for collecting litter on
motorways and a very small number of A roads. Responsibility lies
with local authorities on all other roads.
For more
information on the Great British Spring Clean
visit: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean
