Litter-picking banned as ‘too dangerous’
VILLAGERS were furious yesterday after council bosses banned them from clearing up litter because it would be “too dangerous”.
They wanted to clear the lanes and roads near their homes.
But when grandfather-of-six Charles Porter contacted his council asking for hi-vis jackets and rubbish sacks, he was told the clear-up could not be authorised.
Mr Porter, 72, who carried out three risk assessments for the project, branded the decision “ridiculous”.
He said: “Sense should have prevailed. It’s not as if we would be picking up rubbish on a super highway.”
Diligent
Mr Porter of Wickhambreaux, near Canterbury, Kent, wanted to clear waste in The Street, Spicer Place and Mill Close in the village, which all have 30mph speed limits.
But Canterbury City Council said it would be dangerous for the public to pick litter in these streets as they do not have pavements.
The village pre-dates the Roman invasion and residents who live nearby include Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie and “Nasty” Nick Bateman from Big Brother.
Mr Porter said: “This is unnecessary red tape. We have quite a few visitors in the village and there is a litter problem. We have some diligent people who unofficially pick it up but I wanted to do a proper litter-pick. I never said we were going to do the main road because nobody likes walking up there but we wanted to do it in little, quiet roads.”
A council official wrote back saying: “Unfortunately I am unable to authorise your event. Although you do not intend to litter pick in Seaton Road, which is 60mph, The Street, Spicer Place and Mill Close do not have pavements and are dangerous for members of the public to litter-pick on.
“We would only agree for litter-picks to take place on roads of 30mph or lower and roads that have pavements.”
Another villager, who asked not to be named, said: “Everyone is sick of the people telling us what to do – all we wanted to do was pick up a few bits of litter.”
A Canterbury Council spokesman said: “We help community groups and residents’ organisations with dozens of litter picks all year round. We’re very grateful to them for all they do to keep the district looking its best.
“However, our priority must always be keeping people safe.
“We are always very keen to support litter-picks but on this occasion we had genuine concerns.
“We are sorry Mr Porter was disappointed with that decision but it was taken with the safety of him and his fellow litter-pickers in mind.”