Just how much money is spent to clear litter from the roads?

Published Date: 13th Jul 2016

According to new figures released by Highways England show a total of 364,000 bags of rubbish collected over the past three years.

Since 2013, motorists littering the A roads and motorways of England alone have cost the taxpayer approximately £14.5 million. This equates to around 364,000 bags of rubbish collected over the past three years.

According to the data from Highways England the roadside crews have picked up over 333 sacks of litter every day, covering 4,300 miles of motorways and A roads. At an estimated cost of £40 per sack of litter filled and collected this adds up to £13,320 per day. The cost of one bag could pretty much make up the price of a pothole repair affecting many of our roads today.

These numbers only make up for A roads and Motorways, so the true cost of littering by motorists must be much higher especially when you take into account the litter around local roads currently cleaned by local councils.

Opinion on the Littering and Cost

AA president Edmund King OBE told Auto Express: 'More than a quarter of drivers think that people throwing rubbish out the window is the most annoying habit in the summer.

'Car litter louts are a needless menace who cost the country millions, spoil our environment and put workers' lives at risk. 

'There is no excuse for tossing out litter. Car occupants should bag it and bin it.'

Highways England released a 'Litter Strategy' report in 2014 in an attempt to educate motorists on the growing issue, but figures released by the government-owned company show collection rates have increased since the report was published with 139,952 bags filled between 2015 and 2016. 

Highways England project manager Michael Hoult commented: 'Our contractors collect vast amounts of litter from our roads every year; we'd much rather they spent their time carrying out other essential maintenance work.

'The litter on our roads can cause a hazard to drivers, workers and wildlife, so I'd urge everyone to keep a bag in their car to use for rubbish, and then put it in the bin when they get home.'