Drive launched to keep our roadsides clean

A major campaign is underway encouraging motorists to play their part in keeping the county clean and green.

Northumberland has a well-deserved and longstanding reputation as a clean and tidy county, home to more than 300,000 residents and attracting millions of visitors each year.

And while the vast majority of residents and drivers dispose of their rubbish properly, the actions of a small minority are costing everyone.

Litter and rubbish which is either dropped in the street or thrown from vehicles casts a real blight and clearing up litter costs the council around £2.6m each year. There are over 3,000 miles of roads in Northumberland and keeping them clean and tidy is a year-round job.

Now a new roadside litter campaign is aimed at encouraging people not to drop litter and be proud of their county.

Advertising will run on the backs of scores of buses around the county, as well as on petrol pumps, reminding drivers and passengers not to drop rubbish from their vehicles and ‘love their county’.

Clean-ups will be taking place on roadsides to remove litter, while the impact of litter and rubbish, not just as an eyesore, but a danger to health of humans and animals, will also be highlighted.

Meanwhile the council will continue to take enforcement action where they have evidence of littering. So far this year over 100 people have been fined or prosecuted for dropping litter.

Councillor Glen Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Local Services, with Northumberland County Council, said: “Northumberland has a well-deserved reputation as a clean county and we want to keep it that way.

“We know people have a great deal of pride in our county and most people never drop litter but it’s such a shame that a small minority think it’s acceptable to throw rubbish from their cars.
“The council spends millions each year clearing up litter and rubbish – some of which would be better spent elsewhere. There’s also the risks it poses to the staff who have to pick it up, often along busy and fast-moving roads, not to mention the animal life it can harm.”

“It’s not difficult to put litter in a bin or take it home and we hope this campaign will act as a gentle reminder to everyone to play their part in keeping the county litter-free.”

Pictured:  Council leader Peter Jackson and Cabinet member for Environment and Local Services Glen Sanderson launching the campaign.