Litter: Roads

Local councils are responsible for keeping the majority of trunk roads and other minor roads clear of litter. They have enforcement powers to help them do this, such as issuing a civil penalty to the keeper of a vehicle from which litter is thrown.

National Highways is responsible for keeping motorways and certain trunk roads clean and clear of litter. They inspect and grade the Strategic Road Network in accordance with Defra’s Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse and litter is picked almost every day on their roads. Their activities are reported and monitored via its corporate Performance Indicator outlined in the Roads Investment Strategy.

At this stage, the Government has not yet made an assessment of what actions to take to address the specific challenges associated with roadside litter.