07/08/2009

Summer Roadside Litter Campaign Launched

The Highways Agency launched its summer 'Bag It Bin It' campaign this week, with the support of the AA, the RAC Foundation and the Institute of Advanced Motorists, reminding roads users about the problems that litter can cause on motorways and major A roads.

For the Highways Agency, litter is not only unsightly, but also a threat to the environment - a recent study by the AA showed that 88% of their members feel angry about people who cause roadside litter.

The Highways Agency's Road Users' Satisfaction Surveys reflected this response when people were asked to rate the importance of keeping roads free of litter.

Clearing rubbish also puts workers at risk of injury and diverts resources away from road maintenance and repairs.

The Highways Agency estimates that approximately 700,000 bags of litter are removed from our road network in England every year.

As part of 'Bag It and Bin It', drivers are being encouraged to carry a litter bag in their vehicle to collect their rubbish until it can be safely disposed of. To get the message across, the Highways Agency is distributing biodegradable and recyclable paper litter bags from its exhibition stand at events this summer.

Derek Turner, Highways Agency's Director of Network Operations, said: "Clearing litter puts our road workers at risk from injury and diverts resources away from road maintenance and repairs.

"Items thrown from vehicles can be hazard to other road users and litter is unsightly, is bad for the environment and can block drains and lead to localised flooding.

"We want to remind drivers to keep a bag for rubbish in their vehicle and use it to store their litter until it can be thrown away safely in a bin, either when they break their journey or get to their destination."

(KMcA/BMcC)

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