Agenda item

To provide Members with an update in relation to litter issues on the A1 and to agree future actions.

Councillor Rhys Baker, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste introduced the report.  The Assistant Director of Culture, Leisure and Place was thanked for her work. 

The Council’s Corporate Plan (2020 to 2023) contained a corporate priority of 
delivering a Clean and Sustainable Environment, a key focus being to ensure the district is a clean and pleasant place to live, work and visit.  Those who dropped litter were being irresponsible and must be condemned for that behaviour. 

The Council were responsible for the litter picking on trunk roads which included the A1.  National Highways had the overarching responsibility for the use of the A1 and its maintenance, whilst Lincolnshire County Council were responsible for cutting the grass verges.  There was approximately a 30-mile stretch of the A1 within the district of South Kesteven, which equated to a total of 60 miles of grass verges taking account of the north and southbound carriageways.  Should the central reservations be included, this would amount to 120 miles.  

The A1 was classed as a “high speed road” as it was subject to a permanent speed limit of 50 miles per hour or more.  There were certain requirements when 
undertaking cleansing operations on this type of highway to ensure operatives are not exposed to serious hazards which had the potential to cause serious injury or death to them or other road users.  The most significant risk to operatives and other personnel is being struck by a third-party vehicle. 

Any solution was temporary as litter would unfortunately, inevitably build up again.   This was a complex matter with financial implications as well as safety concerns.  

Officers had dealt with complaints about the litter through the Council’s official complaints procedures. 

Options to clear the A1 verges of litter which have been explored were: 

Volunteer Based Litter Picking - the Council could recruit volunteers to support litter picking duties on the A1.  It was not appropriate to use volunteers to undertake litter picking duties on the A1.  This had previously been discounted due to the risks around exposure to traffic, potential hazards and the requirement to ensure 
volunteers had received the appropriate training, supervision and protective clothing to safely carry out the task.  

Contracted Service - Early discussions had taken place with a traffic management company who had the relevant experience and expertise to carry out litter. 

clearance works to the A1 verges.  This had identified the cost of undertaking this work through a contractor was likely to be in excess of £60,000 each time the work is undertaken.  

Collaboration with National Highways - Although the responsibility for clearing litter from the verges on the A1 falls to the Council, only National Highways could enforce a lane or road closure.  Historically theCouncil had tried to form a closer working relationship with National Highways and requested to be informed when works were planned on the A1 that facilitate a road closure so that litter clearance 

could take place. This has had varied levels of success in the past.  As well as having logistical benefits this would also reducethe risks to operatives and road  users. 

Members raised the following points during discussion: 

•      The report was welcomed.  The litter problem on the A1 was considered a 

complex issue. 

•      It was acknowledged that litter on the A1 created a bad image of the district 

and that litter was a national issue.  Perhaps CCTV could assist in 
enforcement alongside signage warning of potential action? 

•      What solutions had been tried in the past, could we learn from the success of 

neighbouring Local Authorities?  Could dronesbe used to confirm the areas most effected? 

•      A Member expressed concern about the safety of picking the litter on a 
dangerous area of road.  27 people had died last year in roadworks and many

had been seriously injured. 

•      A recent estimate on cleaning a short section of the A1 quoted £10,471 for 

removing small items of litter with a handheld grabbing equipment.  The financial implications had to be considered. 

•      A campaign to shame litter-picking may reduce irresponsible behaviour.  

Lobbying MPs may assist in bringing positive publicity. 

•      Complaints had been made of the unsecured, collected rubbish discarded by 

Waste Lorries along the A1. 

•      As Local Authorities were responsible for the removal of litter, this would 

include the County Council by definition.  More clarity was required. 

A feasibility study to establish the most severely affected areas was proposed, with association with the local councillors who represent those areas.  This would 

confirm the scale of the problem to enable accurate costings and a suitable 

solution.  This was seconded. 

A Member proposed that the litter problem should be referred back to National Highways as their responsibility. 

The Chairman confirmed that as a Local Authority, the Council had a legal duty to maintain the district. 

Cllr Rhys Baker, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste confirmed that the possibility of closing areas whilst clearing rubbish would establish more targeted, accurate costings.  However, Members were informed that enforcement was difficult as the offence was difficult to prove, logistically.  The Cabinet Member informed Members that ultimately, the Council were responsible for the rubbish along the verges and that the issue raised about Waste lorries would be looked into. 

The Deputy Leader of the Council added that aone-off clearance of the whole district section of the A1 would cost approximately £60,000 which would not be feasible.  This was a complex issue and it was essential that the Council engaged with National Highways. 

In consideration of this report, the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee proposed, seconded and AGREED:  

1.     That, working with Councillors to identify the worst-hit areas that needed 

as urgent as possible attention so that feasibility studies could be 

worked out, to then be reported back to the Environment Overview and  Scrutiny Committee as the most appropriate and proportionate course of  action in relation to the issue of litter on the A1.