IRRESPONSIBLE drivers who throw litter out of windows have been slammed by those left to clear up after them.

It comes after a targeted litter pick saw maintenance teams from National Highways litter pick on the M56 between junctions 11 for Daresbury and 12 for Runcorn.

They received a helping hand in removing bags full of rubbish from Keep Britain Tidy campaigners and Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury, who urged people not to litter.

National Highways has pledged to pick at least 8,000 bags of litter from roadsides across the country for this year’s Great British Spring Clean.

Paul Elliott, the agency’s maintenance service manager for the north west, said: “Millions of people travel on roads like the M56 every day, and despite efforts like this to clear it, our network quickly becomes littered from vehicles and unsecure loads.

“Litter is a serious social problem with devastating consequences for wildlife and the environment, and clearing litter from the side of roads also exposes maintenance crews to significant risk.

“Our priority is to keep our roads safe and well maintained, and litter is a huge issue that we are tackling daily. We urge people to save litter for the bin, rather than throwing it on the side of the road.”

Keep Britain Tidy estimates it costs around a billion pounds every year to clean up litter, which can build up quickly and pose a serious risk to motorists and wildlife.

Mr Amesbury commented: “It was good to be out with the team from National Highways, but it is a shame they have to be there because of an irresponsible minority of drivers.

Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury during the M56 litter pick

Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury during the M56 litter pick

“Not only is the litter unsightly, but it is deadly to mammals and wildlife.

“Workers are having to pick up 60 bags of rubbish every single day, and it is quite hairy having to do that exercise on motorway verges and slip roads, as well as costing money to the taxpayer that would be better spent elsewhere.

“The key ask is for people to do the responsible thing and take their rubbish home for recycling or discard it in a litter bin at a service station.”

Lucy Fell, account director for Amey, which delivers a range of maintenance work on behalf of National Highways to help keep people moving, also slammed litter bugs.

“It is shocking to see the amount of litter on the sides of our roads,” she added.

“To litter pick the side verges, we need to install lane closures to ensure safety for our operatives and the travelling public.

“By taking part in the Great British Spring Clean, we are encouraging everyone to save their rubbish for their bin, reducing the need for our operatives to litter pick and time better spent improving the road network.”

National Highways is calling on people to get in touch with problems on the roads, from a broken sign or barrier to litter, overgrown vegetation or potholes.

To report a maintenance issue, visit report.nationalhighways.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000.