DRIVERS on Oxford's ring road can now help the environment and keep the city clean.

New recycling and rubbish bins have been installed in laybys as part of Oxford City Council’s Cleaner, Greener Oxford campaign, which is backed by the Oxford Mail.

Signs in laybys along the Eastern and Northern bypass between The Slade junction at Horspath and the Pear Tree roundabout, remind motorists of the campaign and to dispose of their litter properly.

Councillor John Tanner, executive member for a Cleaner, Greener Oxford, said: “This is another step in tidying up Oxford and defeating the litter-bugs.

“We are already noticing a reduction in fly-tipping along the stretches of the ring road for which Oxford City is responsible.”

In October, a three week operation saw the bypass cleared of litter.

Rosanne Bostock, of campaign group OxClean, added: “The overnight litter-picks on the ring road have made a dramatic difference and the layby installations of large windproof bins and notices requesting people not to drop litter, should be a great help in keeping the ring road cleaner throughout the year.”

The Cleaner, Greener Oxford campaign was launched in November 2009 to tackle litter and reduce the amount of cigarette butts, chewing gum and litter being dropped in the city centre.

Blackbird Leys, Cowley Road and East Oxford have since been targeted.