Joint action from councils on ‘inconsiderate’ littering

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has joined forces with other local authorities in Kent in a bid to clean up the Garden of England’s roadsides.

A joint letter on behalf of all 13 Kent councils had been sent to Simon Jones, the director of Highways England, urging him to agree to a plan of action.

The letter demands better coordination so that councils can clean roadsides when roads are closed for maintenance and greater clarity over whose responsibility it is to clean up which roads.

It also says the councils should, along with Highways England, run a joint campaign discouraging motorists from throwing rubbish out of vehicles.

Cllr Clair Bell (pictured), ABC’s portfolio holder for public interaction and borough presentation said: “Litter thrown from cars is a blight on our landscape, and accumulation of litter on highways leads more people to throw it from their vehicles.

“Education and enforcement on littering is important in changing behaviour but it is essential that we have the support of Highways England to access some of our major trunk roads to remove litter, giving a clear message that littering is not acceptable.”

Cllr Matthew Balfour, Kent County Council Cabinet member for transport and environment said: “All councils in Kent have come together to take action to keep Kent c l e a n . We agreed to write to Highways England to make sure that we work together to clean up the mess other people leave behind, whilst minimising the cost to local council taxpayers. “I am sure that Highways England will want to work with us and we look forward to a positive response so we can tackle this problem together for our communities.” Shepway Cllr Rory Love, chairman of the Kent Resources Partnership, added: “The litter is thrown out of cars and lorries by inconsiderate drivers and passengers as they pass through our beautiful county but it’s the rest of us who have to suffer it and pay for its removal.

“There is an urgent need for a joint plan between Kent councils and Highways England to tackle the unacceptable level of litter.”

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekm group.co.uk

Picture: Gary Browne FM4185501 Litter strewn along the wasteland between Holiday Inn car park and the M20