To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to ensure that the A31 between the Hampshire border and the Canford Bottom roundabout is cleared of litter; and if she will publish the arrangements that are in place for litter clearance.

holding answer 24 April 2012

The Highways Agency regularly monitors cleanliness of the all purpose trunk roads. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse, the responsibility for litter collection on trunk roads falls with the local authority. On the A31 trunk road, between the Hampshire border and the Canford Bottom roundabout, litter is the responsibility of Dorset Waste Partnership/East Dorset District Council.

Each week, the Agency issues local authorities with a road space report, enabling them to identify opportunities to use Agency traffic management creating a safe working environment for their litter clearance.

Where the standards set by the Environmental Protection Act are not being met, and no contact has been received regarding sharing traffic management, the Agency will write to the relevant authority asking for appropriate action to be taken.