The Highways Agency is re-launching its ‘Bag it, Bin It!’ campaign to help tackle roadside litter across England’s motorways and major roads.
According to the Agency, it removes nearly a quarter of a million sacks of litter from England’s motorways every year, although the roadside litter campaign ran last summer reminding drivers to dispose of their litter responsibly saw a decrease in the amounts of litter collected on motorways in North West England and the East Midlands.
Roadside litter is not only unsightly, but is also a threat to the environment and wildlife and can block drains, causing flooding. For highway authorities, clearing litter diverts much-needed resources away from road maintenance and repairs, while items thrown from moving vehicles can be a hazard to other road users.
Re-launching the campaign, Roads Minister Mike Penning said: "Litter is an unsightly and unnecessary burden and one that we can easily avoid – that’s why I am asking people to take one simple step towards make the roads a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone. The money and staff resources spent removing nearly a quarter of a million sacks of litter from England’s motorways could be far better spent elsewhere.
The Agency advises all drivers keep a bag in their vehicle to store rubbish and then disposed of it safely, when they stop.
The Highways Agency plans to repeat and extend its roadside message campaign during the build-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With plans to work with the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Keep Britain Tidy charity, the Agency hopes to raise public awareness of the dangers and costs of litter to ensure that England’s roads provide safe and pleasant journeys during the Games.
Previous research from Keep Britain Tidy has shown that 23 per cent of people are likely to litter from their car.
