A major litter clearance operation has been carried out along sections of the A45 with North Northamptonshire Council teams filling 420 sacks (2.4 tonnes) of litter discarded along verges and roadside areas across 12 night-time shifts.

The clean-up was delivered by North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) in collaboration with National Highways and their contractor Amey.

Officers from the council, National Highways and Amey co-ordinated over appropriate timings, meaning that clean-up crews could take advantage of overnight road closures that were already in place while National Highways carried out repair and maintenance works along the route.

Working overnight while sections of the road were closed enabled litter-picking teams to safely access areas of the roadside that would otherwise be difficult to reach because of traffic volumes on the A45.

The clean-up operation on the A45 between Wellingborough and Raunds

placeholder image — The clean-up operation on the A45 between Wellingborough and Raunds

Undertaking the litter pick during already planned road closures also helps to minimise disruption to road users while allowing the clean-up to be carried out safely and efficiently.

Taking place over a 12-shift period, the operation included nearside, offside, verges, slip roads and centre reservations at multiple locations on the A45, stretching from Wilby Way to Raunds.

The litter-pickers collected 420 large bags of litter or 2.4 tonnes, around the same weight as two family cars or enough to fill five large builders skips. Typical items recovered included wrappers for snacks and takeaways, plastic drinks bottles and cigarette packets.

Cllr Chris McGiffen, executive member for highways and travel at NNC, said: “By working closely with teams at National Highways and their contractor Amey, we’ve been able to undertake this clean up, section by section, during the A45 night closures for essential roadworks.

Before and after pictures of the clean-up operation

"While we are pleased to have removed a significant amount of litter, the best outcome would be for it not to be there in the first place. We would encourage all road users to dispose of their waste responsibly."

NNC leader Cllr Martin Griffiths said: "Keeping North Northamptonshire clean and tidy is a priority for the council and we know that the litter alongside parts of the A45 had become a real eyesore, creating a poor impression for residents as well as businesses and visitors travelling through the area.

“We have a good relationship with National Highways, and I’m pleased that our teams have collaborated so well to allow us to undertake this clean-up.

"It’s a great example of what can be achieved through effective partnership working. I would like to thank everyone involved for carrying out this operation safely and effectively.”

Litter has been cleared from the A45 between Wellingborough and Raunds

Bill Freeman, route manager for National Highways, said: "Littering is a social problem, and no-one wants to see litter along the roadside. It is unsightly and a threat to the environment and wildlife, and comes at a cost to the taxpayer when the money could be better spent elsewhere.

"National Highways works hard, in partnership with local authorities, to tackle litter on our roads and co-ordinate opportunities to safely clear the litter during already planned road closures.

"The simple truth is that if people didn’t drop litter in the first place it wouldn’t need to be picked up – so we urge road users always take their litter home and dispose of it responsibly."

North Northants Council and National Highways continue to work together to identify opportunities to safely carry out further litter clearances along the A45 and A14.