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The problem of roadside litter

Litter on the roads can be a serious problem. It can:

• damage or injure wildlife in the area
• block drains
• cause accidents

If you throw litter from a car, it could cause an accident by:

• hitting a windscreen
• causing a driver behind you to swerve to avoid it

Clearing litter from motorways and busy roads can be a dangerous job. It also costs money that could be spent on road surface maintenance and structural repairs.

Who's responsible for keeping the roads clear

The Highways Agency is responsible for litter collection on motorways in England. Local councils are responsible for clearing litter on most all-purpose trunk roads.

In Wales this is the responsibility of the Transport Directorate of the Welsh Assembly. In Scotland it is done by Transport Scotland.

On a private road or private land, litter is the responsibility of the landowner.

What you can do to help

Reporting litter on local streets

If you notice litter that is unsightly or could be a hazard on your local streets, you should contact your local council. The link below allows you to report a litter problem to your local authority based on the address you enter.

Reporting litter or debris on motorways and trunk roads

Litter or debris can be particularly dangerous on motorways and trunk roads. This is because drivers are likely to be travelling fast and may have to skid or swerve to avoid it. If you see litter that you think could be a hazard, you should report it to the relevant highway authority using the numbers below:

• in England call the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000
• in Scotland call the Traffic Scotland Customer Care Line on 0800 028 1414
• in Wales call the Traffic Wales Hotline on 0845 602 6020

All these lines are open 24 hours a day.

Remember not to use your mobile phone while driving. Ask a passenger to make the call or wait until you can stop in a safe place.

More useful links

• Street cleaning (home and community section)

• Reporting abandoned vehicles (home and community section)

Useful contacts

• Department for Transport (DfT)

• Transport for London (TfL)