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March 2019
DEFRA minister, Therese Coffey MP, accused of misleading MPs over litter from vehicles regulations
February 2019
Waitrose react to name & shame video but still fall short
January 2019
Littering from vehicles – defective regulations – I write again to the Permanent Secretary at DEFRA
November 2018
Littering from vehicles – new legislation does not apply where Highways England is the duty body
We are going to have to wait a generation for any reduction in litter – official
Highways England regular photo surveillance of their network – I do not believe it!
October 2018
Fly-tipping Ministerial briefings – getting the run-around from DEFRA and the ICO
September 2018
Ministerial merry-go-round at DEFRA and the DfT
Government rejects proposals to get Highways England to clean trunk roads
July 2018
Clean Highways thanked in Parliament
June 2018
Councils spending on street cleaning per household has fallen by 26%
Pointless DEFRA publication – spurious HE figures quoted as fact
May 2018
Highways clean A40 / Denham roundabout only after legal threat
Charges for DIY waste – an incentive for fly-tippers – DEFRA get it all wrong
April 2018
Clean Highways on BBC Breakfast
March 2018
Network Rail – large scale litter only cleared when funds available
Partial clean up of A40 following legal warning
Sign our petition to Highways England
February 2018
Highways England threatened with legal action over A40 litter
Highways England – STILL shaming our nation – video
Your complaints sent to Highways England CEO
Massive accumulations of litter on J2 of A1(M)
January 2018
M25 – Audit Office reveal PFI contractor’s super profits
Critique of Government’s new Environment Strategy
A69 – the £17m by-pass that will cost us £118m
December 2017
Highways England maintenance expenditure cuts revealed
A12 through Brentwood not litter-picked for almost 3 years
November 2017
New Roads Minister mis-represents HE’s statutory duty on litter
October 2017
MP asks Permanent Secretary at DfT to reply to my e-mail of 8th August
Not a single motorway litter-picker hit by a motorist in last 10 years
Network Rail misrepresent their statutory duty on litter
Government to introduce fines for littering from cars and to increase max fines for littering
September 2017
Andrea Leadsom: “litter is always one of the biggest concerns of everybody”
August 2017
Highways England to introduce new sweepers
May 2017
Highways England allow 600 tons of fly-tipped waste to accumulate under A40
Rethinking Waste Crime – ESA report May 2017
April 2017
Littered slip roads on M1 and M4
I feature in Channel 5 News item on litter
75% decline in large scale fly-tipping prosecutions
March 2017
February 2017
It’s like driving along a gutter’: Furious motorists decry ‘sickeningly filthy’ A3
63 of your complaints sent on to Highways England bosses and the government
Local Authorities spend under 60p per week per household on street cleansing
January 2017
More of your feedback on litter sent to Highways England’s Nick Harris
Government’s (leaked) Litter Strategy not fit for purpose
LB Havering wrongly deny responsibility for cleaning A12
December 2016
Legal warning notices sent to three south coast councils over littered A27
November 2016
E-mail to Transport Select Committee – ORR failing to monitor HE on litter
Highways England new Ops Director urged to prosecute under EPA S34
Ireland – CCTV used to catch litterering motorists
October 2016
Waste escaping from transporters – only two prosecutions ever by Environment Agency
A13 – Highways England’s rapid response to warning notice
September 2016
Council issues 100 litter fines in 3 days
August 2016
Environment Agency quizzed over refuse escaping from waste transport vehicles
Council chiefs slam Highways England over “u-turn” on cleaning up Tilbury lay-bys
Lay-by litter ignored by maintenace crew
Highways England have no specific funding for litter-picking
Waste transporter sheds rubbish onto M40 – Aug 2016
Newport Council fail to deal with waste from multi occupation property – video
July 2016
Waste falling from another transporter on M40 – July 2016
ORR’ first Annual Report mentions “litter” but..
Litter feedback report sent to Highways England CEO covering May and June
June 2016
Street Cleansing in Scotland – A position statement
Some MPs are using the same standard reply to respond to complaints about litter
Aone+ win contact for Highways England Area 12
Highways England Area 7 – new contract
May 2016
Office for Rail & Road and Transport Focus – costs
DEFRA Litter Forum – 10th May 2016
Fag butt litter louts named and shamed by Lincoln City Council
Minister spells out focus for new litter strategy
Waste transport vehicles – update
April 2016
Notes on a dirty island – Bill Bryson’s videos from 2008
ITV News video – roadside litter getting worse
Frustrated Kent resident writes to DfT minister i/c Highways England over litter
Feedback report sent to Highways England CEO Jim O’Sullivan
London Borough quizzed over failure to remove A40 fly-tipped waste
600 bags of litter allowed to accumulate on north west motorways admits Highways England
Where is all the litter on the French motorways?
Highways England spend £50,000 pa per lane mile on motorway maintenance
DEFRA Minister, Rory Stewart, explains how new litter strategy will be developed
E-mail to Chairman of ORR about their failure to address the issue of litter
M32 J1 green bag left in situ for 4 years
No mention of litter in environment section of HE Innovation Strategy
Waste falling from transporter on M40
March 2016
More of your complaints sent to Highways England CEO
Clean Highways on BBC Five Live – 22nd March 2016 – motorway litter
Slip road litter on Highways England network – March 2016
Disgraceful state of lay-by on A404
Debris in M25 A1(M) slip road left for over 3 years
DEFRA Minister announces plans for a National Litter Strategy
Councillors in Thurrock are up in arms about HE’s failure to clean approach road to Tilbury Docks
More litter complaints sent to Highways England CEO
Highways England’s own video shows them acting in breach of EPA S89(1)
DfT and ORR ignore “litter” in setting objectives for, and monitoring, Highways England
A20 in Dover will not be litter-picked for over 4 months
Highways England Board not incentivised to reduce litter
February 2016
Commons debate on litter & fly-tipping
Further 31 of your complaints forwarded to Highways England CEO
Duty to keep highways clear of litter – see the 2 minute video
Street cleaners do not come past my shop
Highways England’s new approach to area contracts
January 2016
Highways England CEO Jim O’Sullivan invited to respond to liter complaints
Lots more of your complaints sent to Highways England CEO
Scottish May 2016 election candidates advised on street cleansing
MP Andrew Gwynne complains about litter on M67 and M60
Fly -tipping – Newport S. Wales
Highways England do not fully recognise duty under EPA
Highways England confused over power to prosecute
Transport minister down-plays litter responsibilities
Denbighshire litter blitz rakes in £250,000
More of your complaints sent to Highways England CEO
Highways England survey shows 50% of roads users are angered by litter
December 2015
Third feedback report to HE CEO on litter
Government response to C & LG Committee report on litter
Highways England U – turn on motorway maintenance / cleaning
How to complain directly to Highways England CEO about motorway litter
November 2015
Government delay response to Select Committee report on litter
Increase in motorway injuries coincides with maintenance cuts
Bournemouth to employ private contractor to issue on-the-spot litter fines
October 2015
Littered M1 J11 a disgrace – temporary road sign left in situ for over 12 months
M1 – Southbound off-slips defaced by litter
N Croydon MP Steve Reed sets up litter commission
September 2015
Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 – Litter related issues
Clean Highways featured in BBC 1’s Inside Out
Government plans to tackle fly tipping
Solving the litter problem – report updated
MP Kevin Hollinrake quizzes Highways England CEO over litter from waste transport vehicles
Highways England network – litter picking – deaths & injuries
ICO tell Highways England to release litter complaints
August 2015
No on-the-spot litter fines issued in Dorchester
Highways England goes out to tender on new style maintenance contract in the East Midlands
July 2015
New roads’ minister asked for support over motorway litter
M4 J8/9 – Central island cleaned at last
Conservative manifesto promises to review case for higher fines for littering
Tendering for new look HE Area 7 contract
MP challenges Minister over littered M60 and M67
Highways England in denial of their duty on litter
ORR says Highways England could receive £25 million fines
June 2015
Jim O’Sullivan has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Highways England
Highways England’s new Design Panel has been set up to make roads safer and more scenic
May 2015
Environment Agency asked to investigate breaches of EPA S33 by Westminster and Brighton Councils
Council allows trade waste to be deposited on the pavement in contravention of EPA S33
Concern expressed over new draft HSE guidance on roadside litter picking (WISH 24)
Sunday Times: We have litter — depressing, large amounts of it.
Highways England to spend £300 million pa on maintenance
Area 7 (East Midlands) – Highways England to take control of maintenance in-house
Council sentenced after litter picker struck by car
Crown Censure for Highways Agency following traffic officer’s death
April 2015
Complaint to Information Commissioner about Highways England
Who is responsible for cleaning the HE trunk roads?
Highways England – taking maintenance in-house?
Safety at street works and road works – a separate guide is required for litter-picking
March 2015
Report to Highways Agency CEO includes DIRTY DOSSIER of your complaints
Clean Highways critique of select Committee report on litter and fly-tipping
Commons Select Committee publish report on litter and fly-tipping
(See reference to evidence from Clean Highways in para 56)
February 2015
January 2015
Area 10 – M60 J10 – Accessible litter allowed to accumulate
Highways England ditch Asset Support Contract after our 2 year campaign
Highways Agency now Highways England – New plan makes scant reference to litter
Update on Penalty Notices for littering, including from vehicles
December 2014
Councils unaware of their responsibility to clean trunk roads
Paxman backs CleanUp Britain campaign
November 2014
Cleansing of trunk roads which are part of the strategic network run by the Highways Agency
Problems with kerbside waste collection
Commons Committee inquiry into litter to start hearings this month
7 Decision Notices issued by Information Commissioner against Highways Agency / DfT
October 2014
Read Clean Highways written submission to Commons inquiry into litter
September 2014
M32 J1 not cleaned for over 2 years 6 ms
New Asset Support Contract focuses on safety not aesthetics
Highways Agency Area 2 M32 – some revealing answers
Highways Agency quizzed over litter blown from commercial vehicles onto motorways
When is a complaint not a complaint? – When its made to the Highways Agency
August 2014
LB Hillingdon fail to deal with persistent fly-tipping in Ruislip High St
July 2014
Highways Agency litter complaints grossly understated
Highways Agency admit to more complaints about motorway litter in Area 2, in the southwest
Residents face fines for untidy gardens
June 2014
Highways Agency will become a duty body under S89 of the EPA
Scottish Government publish ZERO WASTE -TOWARDS A LITTER-FREE SCOTLAND
E-mail to roads minister, Robert Goodwill MP
May 2014
Area 2 – M5 – James Miller exposes substandard performance
2010 Spending Review and the missing report
Area 10 – Manchester Evening News reports MP’s fury at cuts in cleaning
Highways Agency to become a Government owned company
High speed A34 only litter picked once a year
Highways Agency claim of unit cost savings of 20% – 25% questioned
M1 contractor only obliged to clear litter once a year
A1 in Gateshead is now only litter picked once a year!
April 2014
A41 through Aylesbury only cleaned once every three months
Your roadside litter photographs – March 2014
March 2014
E-mail to roads minister Robert Goodwill – 21st March 2014
E-mail to roads minister Robert Goodwill – 13th March 2014
Highways Agency Area 10 – Dramatic decline in litter collection
Survey of Highways Agency Area 10
February 2014
Highways Agency seemingly in denial over 2009 litter strategy
Highways Agency CEO quizzed on motorway litter by Transport Committee
Wayne Beesley – My big issue at present is the disgusting state of the slip roads
Positive response to Stuart Clay’s warning notice to East Cambs DC
M23 – David Brooker continues his quest for answers
Highways Agency new Litter Strategy is a joke
M32 J1 not cleaned for over 2 years !
Stuart Clay issues litter warning notice to East Cambridgeshire District Council
John Woolmer demands parliamentary action over road and motorway litter
Area 10 – Decline in cleansing under new contact
January 2014
Civil penalty for littering from a vehicle to get government backing
Motorway litter petition – 152 signatures and counting
Littered M67 a disgrace says MP
Our country looks dreadful to visitors arriving through Gatwick – Dave Brooker
Messages of support now exceed 100 !!!
Network Rail downplay their statutory duty on litter
December 2013
November 2013
A180 in North East Lincs – complainant forces local authority to clear the litter
KBT’s Local Environment Quality Survey 1012/13
Britain is turning into one big rubbish tip
Obfuscation by the Highways Agency / DfT
Andrew Gwynne MP critical of unhelpful Highways Agency/DfT
Clean Highways’ Submission to the House of Commons Select Committee on Transport
Claims of gum litter reductions to be checked
Andrew Gwynne MP appeals information refusal by Highways Agency
Permanent Secretary fails to address evidence of Highways Agency contract failings
September 2013
Growing evidence of Highways Agency contract failings presented to Permanent Secretary
LB Hillingdon – Fly tipped waste bags allowed to accumulate – Ruislip High Street
Councils ignore night levy to clean up streets
Towards a litter-free Scotland
August 2013
See video of my appearance on Chinese TV
Government to turn Highways Agency into a privately owned public company
How the Highways Agency deflects criticism
Eric Pickles opposed to Littering From Vehicles Bill
July 2013
I was interviewed by Chinese TV
Information Tribunal find in favour of Clean Highways
Derbyshire – A61 and A617cleaned only once a year
Local resident’s 4 year campaign to clean up Mitcham Tram Stop
Request made for Highways Agency litter strategy documents
Meeting with M25 contractor and Highways Agency organised by Zilch
June 2013
MP calls for litter louts to spend 100 hours clearing up litter and dog mess
172 sacks worth of litter allowed to accumulate on M60 junction
Meeting arranged with motorways Minister (3rd July)
DEFRA publishes 10 year old report as a new litter initiative
Highways Agency – lack of a regulator
Area 10 – no cleansing for 3 months
May 2013
Road user complains directly to Minister over littered M56 junction
April 2013
Andrew Gwynne MP requests meeting with minister over motorway litter
M32 J1 slip road not cleaned for over a year
Highways Agency “Bag it and bin it” results questioned
Highways Agency’s Business Plan makes no mention of motorway cleansing
DEFRA issue new guide on powers to tackle litter etc
March 2013
Confused thinking by Highways Agency’s M25 contractor
Unsatisfactory response to litter code question from Andrew Gwynne MP
Naming and shaming the London Borough of Barnet
Highways Minister owns up to littered state of M60 and M67
Zilch UK clean up J13 of the M25
Government’s implied criticism of on-the-spot litter fine contractor made without proper evaluation.
February 2013
Fly-tipped bags ignored for 6 days – Hillingdon Council asked to review procedures
January 2013
Court rules that London Underground land was not defaced by litter
Hillingdon Council promise to take action over neglected plastic ties on traffic lights
Clean Highways award goes to London Borough of Newham
Coalition’s audit report shows no meaningful action over litter pledge
Council asked to get their street cleaners to remove plastic ties from traffic lights
December 2012
Highways Agency inspections – Concerns about M40 and M25 contracts
November 2012
Manifesto Club report on litter fines de-bunked
West London waste & re-cyling sites – charges may mean more fly-tipping
Concerned expressed over roadside detritus and weeds
Trial hearing of complaint against London Underground delayed to 30th January
October 2012
Highways Agency – new contract – key question unanswered
London Underground trial hearing delayed to 6th Novemeber
September 2012
Waste falling from transporter on M4 reported to Environment Agency
July 2012
Complaint made to Information Commissioner over Highways Agency refusal to provide information
Court finds M40 J1 was not defaced by litter & refuse
Motorway litter test case to be heard on 27th July
New Bill to fine car owners for litter
Information requests refused by Highways Agency as vexatious
June 2012
Yet another review (sorry study) into the Highways Agency
May 2012
Silverman vs Secretary Of State to be heard on July 27th
What Mike Penning said before taking over responsibilities for the motorways
Highways Agency’s defence of new contract is rebuffed
Highways Agency defend new contract
I am interviewed in St James Park by Nicola Nelson
April 2012
Litter Minister too busy to discuss motorways
Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening, summoned to court over littered M40 junction
Highways Agency’s new contract in breach of the Environmental Protection Act 1990
14 messages of support received in March
March 2012
M40 litter recorded on way to court
Another Warning Notice sent to London Underground over littered embankments in Ruislip Manor
Act enabling London Boroughs to hold owners responsible for litter from cars given Royal assent
Complaint to court for a Litter Abatement Order to compel Minister to clean J1 of M40
Metrolink track-side cleaned after threat of court action
Another council takes on private company to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for littering
February 2012
Warning Notice sent to Minister over M40 litter
Young people in Mansfield choose litter duty over fines
Keep Britain Tidy’s “Love where you live” team redundant following cut in DEFRA grant
January 2012
Network Rail fail to keep their land in Spalding free of refuse
XFOR offering guns for hire to help councils fight the litter menace
Park cleaned up after Warning Notice sent to London Borough of Hillingdon
December 2011
Boris asked to investigate conduct of London Underground in Litter Abatement Order case Go
November 2011
Alan Cook’s review of the Highways Agency published – with a thank you to Clean Highways Go
Congratulations to London Borough of Hillingdon for employing contractors to issue on-the-spot litter fines Go
I was awarded costs in my case against London Underground Go
October 2011
Bureaucracy gone mad in Ruislip High Street Go
Publication of Alan Cook’s review of the Highways Agency delayed Go
Boris asked to review intimidating approach taken by London Underground to litter complaint Go
September 2011
Report to Alan Cook highlights failings at the Highways Agency Go
Fining the owner / person in charge of a vehicle for litter dropped from it Go
Silverman v London Underground – Court sets date for contested hearing Go
August 2011
London Underground summoned to court over littered embankments Go
Retired M32 commuter’s enquiries exposes Highways Agency shortcomings Go
July 2011
Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport, asked to expedite delays in getting answers from Mike Penning and the Highways Agency Go
Theodore Dalrymple adds his voice to the outcry against litter Go
TfL fail to clear tube embankments – Court asked to summons Boris Johnson to appear before magistrates Go
Litter Abatement Order warning notice sent to Rail Track over litter at London Bridge Go
June 2011
Lorries seen spilling litter by Highways Agency only to get a warning Go
Paxman backed campaign recommends Clean Highways guide to Litter Abatement Orders Go
Quality of advice to Minister questioned Go
Minister asked if Highways Agency were taking motorway litter seriously Go
“Inspirational and tenacious” says Bill Bryson Go
M40 Video nasty released Go
Litter Abatement Order complaint withdrawn to take up offer of meeting with Highways Agency Go
May 2011
Highways Agency’s business plan makes no reference to litter Go
Sec. of State’s case falls apart in court as evidence is presented to show long standing refuse, including an abandoned fridge, had still not been removed from M40 J1 verges! Go
April 2011
National Audit Office respond to Clean Highways’ critical report on Highways Agency Go
Guardian article ” the motorway man who’s cleaning up” Go
Summons delivered to Sec. of State over littered M40 J1 slip roads Go
M6 embankment cleaned up following complaint Go
March 2011
Minister taken to court over M40 J1 slip roads Go
Outrage over littered A14 Go
Highways Agency’s 85 page annual report mentions “litter” and “cleaning” just once Go
Report on the mismanagement of maintenance contracts by the Highways Agency sent to Audit Office Go
Warning Notice sent to Minister over littered M40 J1 (Denham) slip roads Go
M40 J1, the Denham roundabout, Highways Agency fail to respond to request to clean Go
How the Highways Agency and their contractors misinterpret the Litter Code of Practice Go
February 2011
Hundreds of urine bottles removed from M40 verge following Litter Abatement Warning Notice Go
CPRE president Bill Bryson launches campaign to clean up our railways Go
Highways Agency asked to implement DEFRA’s recommendation to inform public about Litter Abatement Orders Go
January 2011
Warning Notice sent to Secretary Of State for Transport over hundreds of urine filled bottles on M40 Go
December 2010
Analysis shows litter on our motorways remains in situ typically for 25 days or more. This could comfortably be reduced to 5 days. Go
November 2010
Report “Our Littered Motorways – why the legislation is not working” delivered to Mike Penning MP, Under-secretary of State for Transport Go
Highways Agency fail to acknowledge receipt of M25 Warning Notice Go
October 2010
South Bucks District Council concede that complaint over A355 was reasonable and agree to pay costs Go
Warning notice sent to Secretary of State over litter on M25 Go
September 2010
South Bucks District Council say they will fight my claim for costs Go
South Bucks District Council clean up A355 central reservation after receiving summons Go
Warning Notice issued to Minister to clean up M40 slip roads Go
August 2010
Warning notice leads to a clean up of long neglected roundabout Go
June 2010
Legal action leads to transformation of M40
