Litter Removal: Highways England

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 30 March 2017.

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Photo of Helen Whately Helen Whately Conservative, Faversham and Mid Kent 12:00, 30 March 2017

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that Highways England fulfils its statutory duty to remove litter.

Photo of Andrew Jones Andrew Jones Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Litter collection is an important part of Highways England’s duties. The Department recently asked Highways England to identify the worst spots on the network, and they were targeted for cleaning in early March. Highways England is responsible for cleaning litter only on motorways and the strategic road network—about 2.5% of the total road network—but it removes 200,000 sacks of litter from the roadside every year.

Photo of Helen Whately Helen Whately Conservative, Faversham and Mid Kent

Over 2,000 people responded to my recent rural residents survey in Faversham and Mid Kent, and one of the most common concerns was litter, especially on the A2 and the M2. What steps is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that Highways England fulfils its statutory duty to keep Kent’s roads clean?

Photo of Andrew Jones Andrew Jones Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

This issue is raised constantly by Ministers with Highways England. It has a duty to adhere to the code of practice on litter and refuse, which is part of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and we monitor that very carefully. My hon. Friend may be interested to know that 200 bags of litter were collected in March at the Marling Cross lorry park on the A2.