New campaign launched to tackle litter dumped in laybys on major roads across Harborough

A new campaign to slash the amount of litter dumped in laybys on major roads across Harborough is being launched today (Monday).

Harborough District Council is teaming up with Magna Park owners GLP, Lutterworth Town Council and other councils to crack down on roadside rubbish.

New signs are being put up this week in local hotspots and at Magna Park to help support the clampdown.

The first action day today is going ahead along the A5, A426 and the A4303 roads.

Enviro-crime officers are out and about speaking to drivers as new signs in a number of languages are erected to ram home the anti-litter message.

“Further action days will be held along the A47, A6 and the A4304 roads over the coming days.

“Extra patrols – using vehicles fitted with cameras – will also be carried out,” said Harborough council.

“The campaign will also involve local authorities from across the district boundary, including Blaby District Council and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

“Following the success of the council’s Tip Off campaign in tackling fly-tipping in the district, it is hoped this latest campaign will reap similar positive results.”

Cllr Jonathan Bateman, Harborough council’s Cabinet lead on environment and waste, said: “We want a cleaner, greener countryside, it’s as simple as that.

“We know we can’t stop all littering.

“But we are working hard with the right people to hopefully make a difference.

“It is totally unacceptable to drop litter anywhere, especially by verges where it can harm wildlife and impact on biodiversity,” insisted Cllr Bateman.

“It’s very important that drivers dispose of litter appropriately.”

Gwyn Stubbings, Planning Director at GLP, said: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Harborough District Council on this important initiative, to ensure that Magna Park is playing its part in keeping the roads and countryside in the district clean and attractive. “Over 10,000 people work at Magna Park.

“We will be actively spreading the message that we all have a responsibility to prevent littering and any associated anti-social activities.”

By law, it is an offence to drop litter in any open public place, including cigarette butts and chewing gum.

Litter louts face being fined up to £150.

And if they fail to pay their fines they could be taken to court and fined up to £2,500.

Anyone with vital footage (eg from a dashcam) of somebody throwing litter out of a vehicle can submit this to Harborough council as evidence.

To report litter, or if anyone would like the action team to focus on a particular area in the district, contact the Enviro-crime team at [email protected]