Kentish Express Ashford & District
Wardens plough ahead with fight against street littering
Number of £75 on-the-spot fines issued rises to 195 after 10 days
Wardens in Ashford have again been busy cracking down on litter droppers – handing out a further 82 fines last week.
That’s on top of the 113 £75 fines handed out in first three days of the trial scheme – bringing the total number of fines issued to ‘offenders’ in the first 10 working days of the scheme to 195.
The 12-month trial scheme introduced by Ashford Borough Council and being carried out on the ground by private company Kingdom is designed to tackle littering across the borough.
Kingdom officers can issue £75 onthe-spot fixed-penalty notices to people caught deliberately dropping litter or not clearing up after their pets, with no reduction for early payment.
Ashford residents took to social media in their droves to express their views following our report in last week’s paper about the controversial scheme’s introduction.
On Facebook, many people believed it was a good thing for the town.
Alex Whitewood said: “I think it’s a brilliant idea. The only people that won’t like it are the lazy ones that struggle to make the five-second detour trip to the bin.
“Dropping litter is one of my pet hates. I hope the ones that drop litter get caught and get a nice bill to pay.”
Mike Mason said: “Spot on. How hard is it to use a bin! Should be double for people who drop chewing gum.”
Some, however, were worried about potential repercussions.
Lucy Cox said: “As long as they don’t take it too far. One mum got fined somewhere else for brushing a few crumbs off her toddler’s coat before putting him in the car. Definitely a good thing for real litter, though!”
Divinia Kinsey said: “Best way to go about dissolving any town centre we have left. They are going to regret it!
“Talk about Big Brother and a nannying council.”
The local authority will take £28.50 from each fine, while Kingdom will take £46.50.
An Ashford Borough Council spokesman said last week: “The litter enforcement campaign is not about making money.
“It’s about trying to stop people littering, and improving the environment to make Ashford a cleaner and tidier place.
“The project is likely to be cost-neutral, but if any profits are made they will be pushed back into supporting other environmental projects within the council, including additional dog warden patrols and equipment for lit- ter education and enforcement campaigns.”
Councils can issue fixed-penalty notices under Section 88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
While there are no formal appeal grounds, cases can be heard in a magistrates’ court, but this can lead to a maximum penalty of £2,500.
The project will be assessed when the 12-month trial period ends.
For readers’ views on the new scheme, see pages 11 and 20
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@ thekmgroup.co.uk