'Litter blitz' between Bideford and Tiverton about to begin

North Devon Council is preparing to carry out its seventh 'litter blitz' along the North Devon Link Road. The annual clean-up covers a 34-mile stretch between Bideford Bridge and Stonelands Cross, near Tiverton and takes teams about a month to complete.

Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Rodney Cann, says: "Every year we highlight litter issues along this road and every year we carry out a litter blitz, because some drivers continue to dump their waste. It's simply not on that they get away with it, making the main route into North Devon unsightly for residents and visitors, as well as damaging the environment. 

"It also costs taxpayers around £9,000 each time to clean up the North Devon Link Road - money that could be better spent elsewhere in these tough economic times. So again, I am urging drivers to be responsible and to take their rubbish home. Remember, if you're caught dropping litter or fly-tipping, we will take action and prosecute you."

Following last year's clean-up along the North Devon Link Road, 815 bags of rubbish were collected. This included fast food wrappers, as well as general household waste, builders rubble and wheel hub caps.

If caught dropping litter, drivers can be fined up to £2,500 and even face court. There are also heavier fines for larger amounts of fly-tipping.

To report fly-tipping on public or council land, please go to www.northdevon.gov.uk/lgcl_fly_tipping or phone 01271 374776.