Students blamed for number of shop trolleys dumped

‘They get lodged in the silt and frequently become strewn with reeds and rubbish’

Almost 200 abandoned shopping trolleys have been picked up by council contractors in the past 18 months – with the finger of suspicion pointing at students.

The local authority says Serco has collected 183 trolleys in the district since last April – 98% of them from Canterbury.

While many are dumped in parks and streets, a huge number are tossed in the River Stour, with local volunteers often taking it upon themselves to haul the trolleys from the water.

Among them is river warden Sian Pettman, who has urged people to “treat the Stour with respect”.

The 53-year-old, who works with conservation project Our Stour, says many of the trolleys are dumped in the river behind the Parham Road student village, off Sturry Road.

“Students are often blamed for abandoned trolleys and it is no coincidence that the city’s trolley problem spikes at the beginning of the autumn term,” she said. “Having said that, students are by no means the only culprits.

“Each year, a couple of hundred trolleys are abandoned in and around the city, many of which end up in the river.

“Once in the river, they get lodged in the silt and frequently become strewn with reeds and rubbish.

“They quickly become an ugly eyesore. Volunteers remove them when they can, but the job of retrieving them can be difficult, dirty and dangerous.

“Once they have been retrieved, trollies are usually scrapped as they are contaminated by river water and often rusty or damaged as well.”

The University of Kent says it expects its students to have a respectful relationship with their neighbours and the community.

A spokesman added: “We take any issues raised about their conduct very seriously. We encourage anyone with a cause for concern to contact our community liaison officer on 01227 816156 or email communityliaison@kent. ac.uk.”

Canterbury Christ Church University did not comment.

City council spokesman Rob Davies says the authority contracts Serco to remove the trolleys, with some city supermarkets paying to have them returned to the stores.

He added: “We’re aware that several groups get involved in litter picks and river cleans, which is very much appreciated too.”

To report an abandoned trolley call Serco on 0800 0319091.

Shopping trolleys under the A2 bridge at Hambrook Marshes

River wardens and volunteers have cleared rubbish from the Stour