TACKLING ongoing litter problems in lay-bys and main roads in Dumfries and Galloway is long overdue, councillors insisted this week.
Grand plans to keep the region beautiful and the development of a formal litter prevention strategy were rubber-stamped by Dumfries and Galloway Council on Tuesday.
At the communities committee, councillors approved a six-month consultation process where the community can have their say on the best approaches to keep Dumfries and Galloway clean and tidy.
The council spends a minimum of £1.4m each year in street cleansing and lifting litter across the region, however main traffic routes and lay-bys are still a magnet for inconsiderate people discarding rubbish.
Mid and Upper Nithsdale Councillor Jim Dempster added: “What are we actually doing about litter that we can see at the moment?
“I do think that, as well as the strategy, we just can’t leave litter lying. We need to do something about it. I’d be keen to learn when some team is going to litter pick on the A76 because it’s a bit like flytipping – the minute something is left lying, there’s nothing surer than more arrive.”
Castle Douglas and Crocketford Councillor Pauline Drysdale described it as a positive move for the area and also secured assurances from officials that HGV drivers, forestry companies, and the NFU will be contacted as part of future litter prevention campaigns.
She added: “I really look forward to the signage in the lay-bys. Hopefully it might make some difference.”
A six-month consultation now will be launched, which will see community groups, volunteers, council partner organisations, and the region’s youth council among those contacted to share their views on how to best develop the litter prevention strategy.
