Leicestershire countryside litter blight blamed on the motorists
Motorists are being blamed for blighting Leicestershire's country lanes and roadsides with litter.
Campaigners say they are concerned that hedgerows, verges and ditches in many parts of the county are clogged up with fast-food containers, crisp packets, shopping bags, scraps of plastic and empty cans and bottles.
The television nature expert and vice-president of the Leicestershire branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, Colin Green, said he was saddened and disgusted by the filth that had accumulated in rural areas.
He said: "It seems wherever you drive across the county you will see scraps of plastic stuck on branches and in hedges flapping away in the wind and it looks terrible.
"It's far more noticeable at this time of year because the vegetation is thinner.
"I'm sure most drivers keep hold of any rubbish they have and put it in the bin when they get home.
"But there are enough who seem happy just to wind down their windows and chuck a burger box or a cigarette packet.
"They don't realise that a bit of plastic can last 500 to 600 years because it will not biodegrade."
Mr Green, from Holwell, near Melton, said the mess was not only an eyesore but a hazard for wildlife.
He said: "Birds and animals can get tangled up in bags and killed or injured."
Councils are responsible for keeping the sides of public roads clear through street sweeping and litter-picking, but Mr Green said they had a tough challenge.
He said: "It's like painting the Eiffel Tower.
"It's a huge job and, sadly, once they have cleaned an area it doesn't take too long to get messy again.
"The way to tackle this problem is through educating people – telling them of the harm littering does to the countryside and reminding them how easy it is to get rid of rubbish properly."
The A46 trunk road on the edge of Leicester, near Anstey, has been identified as a particularly untidy spot.
Anstey parish councillor John Sutherington said: "The bushes on the embankment are always tangled with rubbish.
"The Highways Agency come and clear it occasionally but a week later it's back. It needs people just to stop throwing it out of their car windows."
Ellistown resident Penny Wakefield said she was concerned about the state of the roads leading into the village.
She said: "The hedgerows are an awful sight because they are full of cans and crisp packets.
"It is not very welcoming and people should be encouraged to report it.
"We shouldn't have to clean up after these people."
Charnwood Borough Council's cabinet member for the environment Hilary Fryer said: "Litter in rural locations is a huge bugbear.
"Most people want the countryside to be unspoiled but more than enough are inconsiderate enough to create a problem.
"I find it frustrating when dog walkers, for example, scoop mess into a plastic bag and then hang it on the nearest tree for someone else to deal with.
"Councils deal with the worst grotspots when they are reported but sadly the mess can sometimes be back within 24 hours."
The Keep Britain Tidy Campaign urges people to arrange community litter-picks under supervision from councils. Details are available at:
9 Comments
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by Red, Leicester
Tuesday, April 13 2010, 8:03AM
“I just want to echo what others have said. Of course there are some selfish idiots who throw stuff out of their windows but most of the rubbish along the A46 is commercial. One badly secured lorry can do more damage than a hundred litterers.
I don't think there's any point in spending money on "educating people" though. It's obvious to anyone over the age of 3 that throwing your detritus onto the street is a stupid thing to do. We've had these campaigns for as long as I can remember - Keep Britain Tidy has been going since 1955 - with no noticeable effect. Spend the money on clearing up instead, the evidence suggests that people are less likely to litter places where there is no or little litter. Combined with heavy fines for both commercial and individual litterers might just make a difference.”
by karin, Oadby
Monday, April 12 2010, 8:18PM
“Some while ago a coke can flew out of an open window of a stationary van in front of my mother. In one smooth move she threw it back in through the window, it was only half empty!! Makes yer proud don't it? They were not best pleased. Tough!”
by John, Leicester
Monday, April 12 2010, 5:13PM
“I agree with Martin, i've lost count of the number of times i've been behind one of Watts trucks with rubbish flying out the back. It.s time the drivers were issued with fixed penalty tickets for littering & the company with a large fine.”
by CGLee, near Melton
Monday, April 12 2010, 1:24PM
“I think your reference to fast food containers, drinks cans, crisp packets and plastic bags says it all. Sadly, these items are theones that some members of our society see fit to dispose of illegally. If all of these items were heavily taxed and the money so raised used for the collosal tidying up process, that might go some way twards helping with a problem that will not go away, sadly. There are some people who will not change whatever we try to do. They just do not care and think only of themselves.”
by Martin, leicester
Monday, April 12 2010, 12:42PM
“Firstly I wouldn't call the A46 near Anstey a country lane.
Secondly, and more importantly, the vast amount of rubbish on that stretch of road comes from Watt's wastage. I have witnessed on countless occasions their lorries, fully ladened with waste, drive along the A46 with poorly fitted tarpaulins. The rubbish just blows all over the carriageway. It's disgusting and about time action was taken. It's not the domestic motorist who is to blame but the rubbish hauliers themselves. It makes my blood boil when I see it happen and despite contacting both the company and Council it continues ¿ where are the cameras when you need them.”