The extra exercise that people do during lockdown has meant that Blackmore Vale roads are less blighted by litter, suggests one Dorset councillor.


Cllr Pauline Batstone believes that people out walking are also helping clear litter, especially now with spring cleaning in mind. Certainly, there has been plenty of Facebook activity with volunteer pickers being praised in East Stour, Shaftesbury, Henstridge and the Wombles group in Okeford Fitzpaine.

“I think people are even more aware and like to do something about the litter because people are walking more and driving less,” said Cllr Batstone, who represents the Blackmore Vale Ward.
She is a regular volunteer near her home in Sturminster Newton and recently posted on Facebook: “Another Sunday, another litter pick…… We cleared from Plumber Manor to almost Fifehead Neville, where some other kind souls have already cleared.”

And she told The New Blackmore Vale: “Most of what we have been dragging out of hedges and ditches around here is old rubbish. Now we are on top of it round here, hopefully we will be able to keep it under control by people taking a carrier bag when they go for walks. I also hope the publicity on social media and seeing us around may cause people to think.”

The upsurge in local picking comes as Dorset Council last week began a collaborative project with community campaigners Litter Free Dorset, which involves installing roadside signs saying #loveyourverge and encouraging drivers to take rubbish home.

Dorset is dependent on volunteer pickers to keep rural B roads clear, says Cllr Jill Haynes, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services.
She added: “We simply don’t have the resources to litter pick every verge in the council area, so we focus our attention on the busiest A roads. It’s the continued efforts of volunteers and community groups that keep our rural verges litter free.”

The council has programmed pick-ups across the county, including the Blandford bypass, but staff sickness or self-isolation has recently hampered efforts.

“We haven’t been able to do as much litter picking as usual up until now, especially given the vital road closures that take time and planning to make sure our employees can work safely,” said Cllr Haynes.

The council advises that anyone who wants to set up their own rural litter pick group should visit dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/litter-picks.
Cllr Batstone also recently helped Chapper Burden, a volunteer who cleared bags of litter in Manston but wondered what to do with it. Cllr Batstone advised him to ring the council (01305 225408) and arrange collection, which was done. She praised the volunteers who help keep rural roads clear.

But she added: “There are still the idiots who throw the remains of their fish and chips out of the window of their car, or those munching crisps and drinking from cans and throwing those down and out.
My bête noir is whoever it is who buys scratch cards in Stur at £30 at a time and throws each down when s/he has scratched it, so every 10 or so yards you find one. Snarl…”

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