Litter picks are to take place across one of the region’s main roads in the next few weeks.
Concerns have been raised about the amount of rubbish at the side of the region’s roads – both council owned routes and trunk roads, including the A75 which is managed by Amey on behalf of Transport Scotland.
And council workers are now set to swoop in to clear up some of the rubbish after Castle Douglas and Crocketford councillor, Pauline Drysdale, pursued the matter with the community asset team.
She said: “The council team is preparing to complete a litter pick of the A75 and schedule litter picks across the council road network over the next few months.
“Additionally, council officers have taken on board my suggestion to look at no littering messaging on the A75, and they are continuing discussions with our council’s communications team and Amey to install new signage with the objective of trying to dissuade and reduce littering.”
Chairman of the council’s communities committee, Councillor Ian Blake, added: “In relation to the increased amount of littering and fly tipping being witnessed, the council teams have been incredibly proactive in supporting Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Spring Clean Scotland campaign.
“1,706 individuals took part in the four-week campaign, and school pupils enjoyed great success through the Scotland south schools litter league with Shawhead, Leswalt and Kirkcolm placing first, second and third respectively.
“Across communities in Dumfries and Galloway, a total of 1,885 bags were collected by volunteers, 303 of which were recycled. Council services will continue to work together with individuals and community groups to remove litter while ensuring information and education is provided to prevent littering.”
It emerged last week there had been just 16 fines issued for littering across the region in Dumfries and Galloway – none in the Stewartry.
Nine of the fines were for people who threw litter from their vehicle.
A council spokesman said: “The impact of lifting a significant number of bags over the four-week campaign has had a great impact on the nature, environment, and look of our region. Council services will continue to work together with individuals and community groups to remove litter while ensuring information and education is provided to prevent littering.
“All reports of fly tipping and littering that come into the council’s community safety team are thoroughly investigated in an attempt to identify those who commit such offences. Unfortunately on the vast majority of occasions any waste found very rarely has any identifying evidence to assist the team’s enquiries.
He asked people to report littering and fly tipping by calling 030 33 33 3000 by emailing communitysafety team@dumgal.gov.uk.
Fly tipping can also be reported online at https://info.dumgal.gov.uk/faultreporting2/AntiSocial/FlyTipping
