06.07.15
LGA calls for change in powers to tackle ‘car litter louts’
Local authorities outside of London are calling for new powers to tackle the “spiralling” problem of car litter louts across the country.
Councils outside the capital are currently powerless in fining the nation’s car louts because as the law stands they must positively identify who has thrown the litter, which they say is hugely difficult.
The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling for this legal loophole to be closed giving them the power to fine the owner of the vehicle – regardless of who threw the trash – bringing the rest of the country in line with London.
The Association, which represents over 400 councils in England and Wales, highlighted a few examples of the problem. For instance, in Dorset it took the local authority team five nights to clean a five-mile section of the A338, during which they collected nearly two tonnes of rubbish, costing taxpayers £10,000.
LGA environment spokesman Cllr Peter Box said: “Road litter is a huge and spiralling problem which is threatening to overwhelm some of the nation's roads. It is difficult – and dangerous – for councils to clear up.
“The litter louts who blight our roads and cost council taxpayers millions in clean-up costs are currently getting away scot free thanks to a legal loophole.”
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