'Councils must join forces to keep city outskirts litter free' (From Oxford Mail)

'Councils must join forces to keep city outskirts litter free'

6:13pm Thursday 10th December 2009 in

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THE man charged with keeping Oxford clean has called for more co-operation between councils and authorities to help tackle the litter problem blighting the city’s outskirts.

Residents have complained that land on the borders of separate council areas has been neglected, as the authorities dispute whose responsibility it is.

Last night city councillor John Tanner branded some areas around Oxford’s perimeter a “disgrace” and called on everybody to play their part in cleaning up the area.

His comments came as campaigners claimed no-one is taking responsibility for the “horrendous” litter problem around Oxford’s ring road.

In a four point plan it believes could transform the ring road, OxClean – part of the Oxford Civic Society – called for: Publication of a “cleaning-up” programme for the by-pass and other main roads.

More roadside litter picking with grass cutting next to the ring road.

Electronic signs to remind drivers of their responsibilities, with more bins in laybys.

The clear acceptance of responsibility by one authority for the litter problem, to avoid people being passed from council to council.

OxClean chairman Ros Weatherall said: “Visitors to Oxford by road often comment on the incredible amount of litter around the ring road.

“The trouble is that responsibility seems to be divided between the Highways Agency, the county council and all the districts through which the ring road passes. If you are complaining to any of these, you are likely to be passed from one to the others.”

In April last year, the Oxford Mail reported how authorities disputed responsibility of a rubbish-strewn stretch of land along Botley Road.

The area, near the A420 junction, falls between the boundary of Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxford City Council, and both said they were not responsible for clearing up broken glass, rubbish and a dilapidated fence.

The Cleaner, Greener Oxford campaign, backed by the Oxford Mail, was launched last month to tackle Oxford’s growing rubbish problem and to help reduce the £1m a year taxpayers are shelling out to clean the streets.

Mr Tanner, board member for a cleaner, greener city, said: “Councils and authorities need to work hand-in-hand to tackle the problem.

“Everybody should take responsibility for the area, including the drivers who are throwing their rubbish into the hedgerows and trees. The ring road verges are a disgrace. Our 2010 resolution should be to clean up the city outskirts.”

He said the Oxford Waste Partnership, which he chairs, is looking into the problem.

A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council said: “The county council has no responsibility for clearance of litter on Oxford ring road.

“This responsibility rests firmly with the city and district councils.

“However, we always make available our grass cutting schedules so other councils can carry out litter picking within the safety of the lane closures we put out in advance of grass cutting.

“OxClean’s suggested use of the county council’s new variable message signs to alert motorists to street scene activities is a good suggestion which will be followed up.”

news@oxfordmail.co.uk