Colchester City Council's Street Care and Safety team has removed more than a tonne of litter and waste from roadsides, verges and public spaces across Colchester during a series of clean-up operations in October.
Working across several locations, including stretches of the A12 and Weir Lane, council teams collected more than 1,100kg of litter and waste, helping to improve the local environment and keep roads and footpaths safer for residents and visitors.
Major overnight clean-up on the A12
On Friday 23 October, the team took advantage of an A12 closure for essential maintenance works to clear a four-kilometre stretch of the London-bound carriageway from Junction 25.
On Friday 23 October, the team took advantage of an A12 closure for essential maintenance works to clear a four-kilometre stretch of the London-bound carriageway from Junction 25.
During the operation, crews removed 710kg of waste, including general litter, tyres, abandoned roadwork signs and two separate fly-tipping incidents.
Tackling roadside litter hotspots
Teams carried out a further two litter-picking operations along the A12, targeting verges, slip roads, footpaths and surrounding green spaces.
Teams carried out a further two litter-picking operations along the A12, targeting verges, slip roads, footpaths and surrounding green spaces.
On 6 October, crews cleared litter from the Langham Junction area, Park Lane southbound to Birchwood Road Bridge and the Junction 28 slip road, collecting approximately 185kg of litter, including a discarded roof rack. Two mechanical road sweepers were also arranged to attend following hedge-cutting works to ensure the areas were left clean and tidy.
A further operation on 14 October focused on the A12 northbound near Domsey Chase. During the clean-up, crews collected around 100kg of litter, including HGV debris, a large mudguard, a metal car bumper and a road cone.
Partnership working delivers results
The council also joined forces with Colchester MOD to carry out a litter pick on Weir Lane.
The council also joined forces with Colchester MOD to carry out a litter pick on Weir Lane.
In just 25 minutes, the team collected 14 black bags of litter weighing approximately 138kg, alongside discarded car parts and road cones. The clean-up highlighted the benefits of partnership working to tackle environmental issues quickly and effectively.
Helping protect local communities and wildlife
The work forms part of the council's ongoing efforts to improve local neighbourhoods, maintain cleaner public spaces and protect the environment from the harmful effects of littering and fly-tipping.
The work forms part of the council's ongoing efforts to improve local neighbourhoods, maintain cleaner public spaces and protect the environment from the harmful effects of littering and fly-tipping.
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhoods and Leisure, said: "Our Street Care and Safety teams work hard throughout the year to keep Colchester clean, safe and welcoming, often carrying out this work in challenging conditions and alongside busy roads.
"The fact that more than a tonne of litter and waste was removed during October alone shows the impact that careless littering continues to have on our environment.
"Every piece of rubbish that is dropped or dumped illegally affects our communities, spoils local areas and takes valuable resources to clear up. I'd like to thank our teams and our partners at Colchester MOD for their efforts and encourage everyone to play their part in keeping Colchester clean by disposing of waste responsibly."
We recently took part in Fly Tipping Fortnight, where it was revealed the council spent around £391,000 on clearing fly tips in the last year alone. You can read more here.
Report littering and fly-tipping
Residents can report fly-tipping and other environmental issues through the council's website, helping teams respond quickly and keep Colchester's streets, verges and public spaces clean for everyone.
Residents can report fly-tipping and other environmental issues through the council's website, helping teams respond quickly and keep Colchester's streets, verges and public spaces clean for everyone.