Roadside litter a problem in Scotland

More than 1,800 tonnes of litter are being cleared from the sides of Scotland’s road and rail routes every year.

Transport Scotland and its partners are fed up with litterbugs needlessly costing taxpayers money that could be put to better use on transport improvements.

In April, almost 4,000 hours were spent clearing litter from motorways in Glasgow and surrounding area alone. This has come at a cost of around £60,000 for just one month, enough to resurface around six kilometres of road.

Litter picking alongside busy roads often requires a lane closure, bringing delays to drivers and lost time to businesses.  It is also an issue along railways where clear-up operations can result in line restrictions, known as possessions.

There are a number of major events taking place in 2014 and the authorities are calling for a change in behaviour.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “Scotland is a wonderful country and its natural beauty is a key factor in attracting tourists. Next year, the eyes of the world will be on us through events such as Homecoming 2014, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup. That is why we need to ensure we present a lasting and positive image that encourages the world to visit Scotland for many years to come.

“Clearing carelessly discarded rubbish is quite simply a needless use of time and money. Cleaner public transport encourages more use, meaning roads are less congested and emissions are reduced, something this Government is firmly committed to achieving.

“It is not too much to expect people to bag their rubbish and dispose of it responsibly. Our road and rail crews are doing their bit to ensure Scotland is kept tidy, it is only fair all transport users to do the same.”