Litter levels dropping in England

08 November 2006
 
Litter levels across England have fallen to a satisfactory level for the first time, with major improvements seen in town centres and public transport infrastructure.
The latest Local Environment Quality Survey of England (LEQSE) found that standards of cleanliness in town and city centres are higher than the national average, despite an increase in pedestrian and vehicle flows. Litter on the landscape improved from unsatisfactory to the high end of satisfactory (–1 standard quality interval to +4 SQI). This compares with the overall national average for litter of +1 SQI, a one point improvement on last year.
Litter on public transport infrastructure also improved by one point to +2 SQI, in spite if the absence of metal litter bins at railways and underground stations owing to the 7/7 terrorist attacks.
Litter levels remained at an unsatisfactory –1 SQI on main roads, but improved at bus stops on main roads from –1 SQI to +2 SQI. Litter on rural roads remained at +1, mirroring the national average.
Graffiti remained at the maximum +8 SQI overall, although a slight decline was seen in public transport infrastructure.
The survey reveals a 45% increase in the number of local authorities issuing fines for littering, as well as an improved collection rate for fines. Yet 22% of local authorities are achieving payment rates of less than 50%, which ‘is not good enough’, according to Ben Bradshaw, the environment minister.
Bradshaw welcomed the improvements but said much more needed to be done and improved on. He pointed to a continuing increase in the amount of fast food and drinks-related litter – ‘albeit at a slower rate’ – and warned that smoking-related litter has yet to decline.

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