We are reminding people that tossing litter from a vehicle is illegal.
Braintree District Council is placing anti-littering signs along stretches of roads that are currently classed as vehicle litter grot-spots. Working in partnership with Essex County Council as the Highways Authority, the signs will be trialled over the next 12 months at five locations and monitored by litter-picks, to see if they deter people from littering.
Displaying the message ‘Littering is ILLEGAL keep it in your vehicle’ will remind drivers and their passengers not to toss litter out of their vehicle, as if caught doing so, they could land themselves a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 or be prosecuted in the Magistrates Court, where a conviction for this offence carries a fine of up to £2,500.
“It’s probably true,” says Councillor Wendy Schmitt, Braintree District Council’s Member for Environment and Place, “the majority of people already know that littering is a criminal offence. It’s looked upon as anti-social behaviour by the many who care about our environment and contributes towards the climate change crisis. It ruins our beautiful countryside, endangers wildlife and costs the local taxpayer around £1.2m to keep our district clean and tidy. We hope these signs will stop the litterbugs in their tracks and encourage them to do the right thing by taking their waste home where it can be disposed of properly, instead of throwing it out the window.”
Councillor Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: “Every year our grass cutting and other crews waste hours removing litter and all sorts of other rubbish dumped by the roadside before they can commence work. Littering is a thoughtless and selfish act, which the offenders themselves and the wider Essex population end up paying for through their taxes. I would urge anyone considering committing this illegal act to re-think their behaviour, to save themselves a potential fine and to help ensure vital highways resources can be used where they are most needed.”
If you are thinking of tossing litter out of your vehicle… think again, as anyone who sees you littering can report you by giving the Council your vehicle registration number. Their Enforcement Team will then investigate the offence and may take action against you.
To report a car litter offender: www.braintree.gov.uk/reportthetosser