Council workers have completed an operation to clear hundreds of bags of litter from the A38. Twelve Landscape Services Operatives working overnight between Kilburn and Alfreton, filled nearly 500 bags with 5,700 kg of litter ranging from discarded crisp packets through to tyres, wood, metal and pallets and even mattresses!

The six night operation which took place over two weeks in April cost around £10,000 and was carried out in partnership with Highways Agency contractors Aone+ who closed the lanes at night on two stretches of the A38 at the Kilburn boundary and between Ripley & the Alfreton boundary.

It's the second year running the Council has entered into the partnership with the Highways Agency which helps to save money by carrying out the litter pick when the contractors are already closing lanes to carry out routine maintenance such as cutting back vegetation. However, due to the heavy build up of litter on one stretch this year, the Council funded the Alfreton stretch of the operation outright.

The Council is currently considering the introduction of covert surveillance at some of the worst affected parts to tackle fly tipping on the A38 and other major roads in Amber Valley as part of a series of measures to clamp down on the problem.

Assistant Director for Landscape Services, Simon Gladwin said: "This was no easy task. We can't just turn up with litter pickers and bags on a dual carriageway. It requires expensive lane closures, specialist training and invariably has to be done at night to minimise disruption to motorists. It remains a continuing challenge each year, but our job would be made easier if all lorry drivers would ensure their loads are fully secure and if the minority of irresponsible motorists kept litter in their cars instead of dropping it out of the window. We would also urge fellow motorists and passengers to report people they see fly tipping and dropping litter by safely reporting incidents on 01773 841335 or e-mail envadmin@ambervalley.gov.uk "

As part of a sponsorship arrangement, MacDonald's Restaurant in Somercotes also contributed £400 towards the operation. The Council is now seeking sponsorship from other businesses who wish to join in the annual litter clearance project in the future, which has so far seen around 11 tonnes of waste cleared from the dual carriageway between Coxbench and Alfreton within the last 12 months.

In return, businesses can be mentioned in any publicity associated with the clear up.

Interested businesses should contact Assistant Director for Environmental Services Simon Gladwin on 01773 841415

Notes to editors

Pictures of the operation are available on our Flickr page.

Also follow on Twitter and Facebook @ourambervalley

For further information please contact Luke Barrett Communications Manager on 01773 841 655 or email luke.barrett@ambervalley.gov.uk