Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Motorways: Litter

25 April 2023 · 4 other contributors · 9,803 words

Opened by Mike Penning Con Hemel Hempstead

Responding minister: Richard Holden

TransportEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Mike Penning raised concerns about motorways: litter in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about health and safety risks for highways workers due to litter on motorways.
  • Mike Penning highlights legal responsibilities and key performance indicators causing confusion among local councils and transport authorities.
  • Penning requests better enforcement through technology and stronger penalties for littering on motorways.

Key requests to Government

I ask the government to ensure clarity on legal responsibilities for litter management on motorways and A roads, in addition to strengthening existing KPIs. Penning asks for better enforcement using technology such as cameras and stronger penalties for littering, including driver awareness courses. He also requests that key performance indicators be introduced to monitor litter clearance on motorways by National Highways. The Minister should confirm the number of fines for motorway littering and ensure that all contracts offer taxpayers good value for money. The Government must also address delays in introducing deposit returns for drinks containers, which could cut down on littering.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Mike Penning Con Hemel Hempstead

I am concerned about the health and safety risks that litter poses to highways workers who are tasked with cleaning it up. Key concerns have been raised regarding legal responsibilities and KPIs, which currently cause confusion among local councils and transport authorities. Mike Penning is concerned about the state of litter on motorways in his constituency, boundaried by the M1, M25 and A41. He mentions that some litter comes from refuse lorries lacking proper tarpaulins and highlights the impact on wildlife in areas of outstanding natural beauty. Penning also criticizes Highways England for renaming itself multiple times despite a decent brand and questions the effectiveness of their claims about checking motorways, suggesting they are not monitoring contractors adequately. He cites instances where individuals have threatened to take legal action against National Highways under section 91 of the Environmental Protection Act. Litter on motorways is a serious issue affecting safety, the environment, and wildlife. In 2020, Channel 4 reported huge piles of rubbish covering areas around the M25, raising questions about the effectiveness of private firms contracted to keep motorways clear. National Highways has statutory duties but there are concerns over its performance in addressing littering.

Other contributors (4)
  • Gareth Johnson Con Dartford

    Mr Johnson expressed concern over the increasing litter problem on motorways in his constituency, particularly at junctions. He highlighted the dangers faced by volunteer groups attempting to clean up these areas and called for National Highways to take a more proactive role. Mr Johnson also suggested using existing camera technology to issue fines to drivers who deliberately litter.

  • Jack Brereton Lab Stoke-on-Trent South

    Mr Brereton raised serious concerns about the levels of litter on motorways and trunk roads in his constituency, highlighting that nearly 40% of the strategic road network has widespread or heavy litter. He mentioned issues with poor maintenance standards, vegetation management, and anti-social behaviour leading to significant litter build-ups and health hazards. Mr Brereton also noted the complications arising from differing responsibilities for different roads, with local authorities often having to clear up litter on major A roads despite these being National Highways' responsibility. He questioned the accuracy of litter data and suggested that enforcement powers should be considered for National Highways.

  • Louie French Con Old Bexley and Sidcup

    In my constituency, there is confusion about legal responsibilities for cleaning litter from the hard shoulder and verges on A roads. I agree with my right hon. Friend's enthusiasm for community volunteer litter pickers but highlight the need for clarity in legal responsibility. He proposed producing new metrics to address consumer behaviour and junction issues, suggesting collaboration with other bodies to ensure they have their own practices in place to prevent litter from being blown onto motorways.

  • Margaret Ferrier SNP Rutherglen and Hamilton West

    I thank the right hon. Member for securing this important debate and express my frustration with littering, which is a significant health and safety risk to highways workers. Drawn close to vehicles moving at speed, littered food attracts wild animals such as mice, rats, and foxes. This increases the risk of these animals being killed on the road, carrying germs and disease.

Government Response

Richard Holden

It is an absolute pleasure, as ever, to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hollobone. I thank my right hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Sir Mike Penning) for bringing this debate to Westminster Hall. The Government's vision is of a road network free of litter. National Highways has its own litter strategy aligning with wider Government strategy and has committed to keeping the strategic road network predominantly free from litter without compromising safety, delivering that affordably. Influencing public behaviour and discouraging littering from occurring in the first instance is important in delivering lasting improvements. The Minister will work across Government and with anti-littering organisations to help achieve this vision. National Highways does not have enforcement powers but works closely with local authorities on prosecution of litter offences. Technology such as CCTV, number plate recognition cameras, geofencing, and dashcams are being trialled to tackle littering behaviour. The Minister will write to all local authorities after today's debate encouraging them to use information passed by National Highways for prosecuting litter offenders. National Highways supports the annual Great British Spring Clean and engages commercial transport sectors via its professional driver experience panel.

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