Scotland TranServ launches anti-litter campaign

25/06/2014 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

Scotland TranServ wants to reduce the amount of litter on the country’s trunk roads and has urged drivers to stop throwing rubbish out of their cars.

As part of its work to manage south west Scotland’s trunk roads network on behalf of Transport Scotland, Scotland TranServ operatives collect the litter that drivers throw out of car windows or leave behind in laybys.

With Glasgow preparing to host the Commonwealth Games as part of the Year of Homecoming, and ahead of the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, Scotland TranServ is focused on making a good first impression on drivers heading to these key events.

Keith Brown, Minister for Transport, said: “This is the year when Scotland welcomes the world and we want visitors to see the best that we have to offer across this summer’s events.

“Debris at the side of the road can create the wrong impression so I am urging drivers to play their part and dispose of their litter responsibly.

“It costs a huge amount to clear-up our trunk roads and that is money that could be better spent on frontline maintenance.

“We are lucky enough to have world renowned scenery. So we should do our best to keep it that way and think twice about how we dispose of our rubbish.”

Across the south west network last year Scotland TranServ operatives alone collected 28 tonnes of litter, that’s the equivalent weight of nearly four double decker buses. We recycled 78% of that total and sent the remaining 22% to landfill. That’s vital funding which could have been invested to improve Scotland’s roads network.

Malcolm Shanks, Scotland TranServ’s network operations manager, added:

“Across south west Scotland and particularly at the hub of the motorway network around Glasgow, we are amazed at the things that people think it is alright to dump at the side of our roads; ladders, tents, sofas and even the kitchen sink. Last year our teams alone collected 28 tonnes of rubbish along motorway verges and off our trunk roads. We’re playing our part to keep the network clean, and we’re calling on drivers to play theirs.”

Littering from vehicles is a major issue across Scotland. It is estimated that litter costs the Scottish economy over £50m each year in terms of clean up and prevention costs. This is money which could be far better spent on road and safety improvements.

Russell Rennie, Scotland TranServ’s contract director, added:

“We spend a lot of time and money dealing with litter on the motorway network. We want all drivers to play their part in keeping our verges neat and tidy, particularly in this Year of Homecoming and the Commonwealth Games. If they do so, we can use this money to invest it in further improvements to the motorway infrastructure. As we prepare to welcome thousands of visitors to Scotland, it’s important we all keep our country looking in tip-top condition, rather than relying on agencies to tidy up after us. Remember first impressions count.”

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Civil Enforcement Officers x 2

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
Parking Services are looking to recruit 2 full time Civil Enforcement Officers to complement its existing workforce. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Senior Street Cleanse Technician x 3 (CDC)

Grade 6 £25,981 - £26,815
We are about to embark on an ambitious programme of change in our city. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Development Officer

£37,280 - £40,777
This is an exciting time for a talented, self-driven professional to join us in the role of Highways Development Management Co-ordinator. Gloucester
Recruiter: Gloucestershire County Council

Principal Highways Development Officer

£48,226 - £51,35
This is an exciting time for a talented, self-driven professional to join us in the role of Highways Principal Development Management Co-ordinator . Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Recruiter: Gloucestershire County Council

Street Lighting Project Engineer

PO2 - £41,442 to £44,331
Help us keep our streets safe, efficient and ready for the future Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Principal Engineer - Highways Development Management

£47,181.00 - £50,269.00, Grade 11, 37 hours, Permanent
We are seeking a dedicated Principal Highways Development Management Engineer to join our team. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Development Management Engineer

£32,061.00 - £46,142.00, Career Grade 7-10, 37 hours, Permanent
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through HIghways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Project Engineer

£31,537 - £42,839 per annum
Would you like to be part of our friendly, welcoming Highways team, proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Boroughbridge, York
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Project Engineer

£31,537 - £42,839 per annum
Would you like to be part of our friendly, welcoming Highways team, proud to manage all aspects of the highway network? Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Bolton Council

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader (Maintenance Operations)

Grade 10 - £48,226 - £51,356
Cardiff is growing faster than any other capital city in Europe. Cardiff (Caerdydd)
Recruiter: Cardiff Council

Highways Supervisor

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a permanent Highways Supervisor Forfar, Angus
Recruiter: Amey

Tree Surveyor

£Competitive
We are excited to offer fantastic opportunities for Permanent Tree Surveyors Scotland
Recruiter: Amey

Chief Operating Officer – South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee

£Competitive
We’re looking for a bold, visionary leader to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer Carmarthenshire (Sir Gaerfyrddin)
Recruiter: Carmarthenshire County Council

Clerk of Works - Highways

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Clerk of Works to join our dynamic NMC SW Account team at Polmadie. Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Supervisor

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a permanent Highways Supervisor to join our NMC NE account in Kinross. Perth and Kinross
Recruiter: Amey

Planner - Highways

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for Permanent Planner – Highways to join our NMC SW Account. Glasgow City
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Manager

£51,356 - £55,539 per annum
We are looking for an experienced Engineer to join the team as a Highways Maintenance Manager Selby, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW