Litter picking volunteers in Huddersfield wanted a rural road closed so they could clean it up as it’s simply too dangerous to clear otherwise.
Huddersfield Litter Bandits patrol roads around where they live with a patch stretching from Scammonden to Ainley Top and they say Grimescar Road which runs from Ainley Top to Birkby is disgraceful for litter.
But there are no stopping places for cars and the picturesque road which has stunning views across Huddersfield near Ainley Top is narrow, winding and fast which makes it too dangerous for the Bandits to pick up the litter there.
So they inquired with Kirklees Council if the road could be closed while they did it, but their request was rejected.
Pam Spychalski, of Bolster Moor – who formed Huddersfield Litter Bandits with friend Louise Moran – said: “If you’ve driven down Grimescar Road from Ainley Top to Birkby it’s full of litter and needs an army to clean it. We would love to get this road closed to clean it.
“We have cleaned it twice when it was closed by utility companies and the council. It’s not safe to do it when traffic is driving through but I think the inconvenience of having it shut may draw attention to the problem we have with litter and fly tipping.
“A couple of local residents do try to clean the top near Ainley Top but an hour or so later some undesirable has thrown something from their car. They fill two bags a week. I think we really need a campaign in Huddersfield to stop litter and fly tipping.’’
Pam added: “I think Grimescar Road (pictured above) is prone to littering because it’s secluded and people know they won’t be seen. Also, because it doesn’t get cleaned it just gets worse and worse. We all know litter attracts litter.
“The council mechanical road sweeper did go down there the other day but unless they have staff pulling the litter out from the grass in front, the road sweeper only picks up leaves on the road.’’
Nationally, the Great British Spring Clean run by Keep Britain Tidy is underway throughout March and Huddersfield Litter Bandits did six litter picks in seven days at Bolster Moor, Slaithwaite, Longwood Edge, Milnsbridge, Brighouse Road towards Rastrick and the Blackley Roundabout near the approach to the M62 to Leeds at Junction 24, Ainley Top.
The volunteers collected 115 bags of litter plus other debris including nitrous oxide canisters, traffic cones, signs and sandbags.
Pam said that all Kirklees libraries have litter grabbers to borrow if anyone fancies going out litter picking and they also supply the bags. Depending on how much is collected, volunteers can either put the bag of litter in their own bin or leave the full bag at the side of a public bin. The bags are clear to distinguish them from fly tipping
David Shepherd, executive director for place at Kirklees Council, said: “Huddersfield Litter Bandits display dedication, compassion and pride for their community.
“Groups like these make our communities strong and kind and it’s always a pleasure to hear of local people taking pride in where they live.
“Our road sweepers go along Grimescar Road to clear any rubbish from the tarmac. However, any litter on the grass verges is the responsibility of the landowner to clear. To close this road the council would need to follow legal procedures and it would also incur costs.
“In celebration of this year’s great British Spring Clean, the council’s Recycling Team has been working with businesses, schools and litter-picking groups across the district to support them to get involved.
“We already have over 400 volunteers signed-up across 12 sessions but we know other groups in the community have also organised litter-picking events.
“We all have responsibility for our own rubbish – bin it, don’t drop it, and have respect for your area. If the Litter Bandits have inspired you to tidy up your local area, find out how we can support you at www.kirklees.gov.uk/litterpick”
Litter that is causing a nuisance on the highways can be reported to Kirklees Council by calling 01484 414700.
It’s best to report fly-tipping on the Kirklees Council website with as much detail as possible and if fly-tipping is on private land the council can contact the landowner and request that they sort it.
Go to www.kirklees.gov.uk/flytipping
For more on Huddersfield Litter Bandits go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/743483613019252
Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content, copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies.
