How litter became a Redditch election issue

Voters in Redditch have called upon councillors to do more to tackle litter - saying it should be an election priority.

Redditch Borough Council is set to launch a new crackdown on rubbish, with traffic wardens given powers to fine drivers £250 for throwing litter from their vehicles.

The move - which needs to be ratified after the elections - comes as people in the town say more prevention work is "desperately needed".

Pensioner Lynn Spiers said: "When you look around you can see the problems. The town centre is too dirty."

At the moment littering from vehicles is enforced as a criminal offence, but court action is rare as it needs to be proved 'beyond reasonable doubt' who had committed the act - especially if multiple people are travelling together.

A council report on the change said traffic wardens do see littering take place from vehicles, but are "frustrated" at not being able to do anything about it.

Under the change, they will be able to dish out on-the-spot penalty notices for littering, with the £250 fine payable within 28 days to avoid prosecution.

The BBC paid a visit to the town centre to ask people what they thought about the policy, and if littering is an issue.

Pearl Noonan said: "My husband was only saying the other day 'whoever gets in after the elections, they should sort out the littering'.

"I just hope it makes a difference. Something needs to be done, it really frustrates me."

Lynn Spiers said: "Wherever you look there is always litter. I'd vote for a party that actually said they'd bring in more litter pickers, because I don't feel I see them."

Colin Taylor, a builder, in his 40s, said: "It's good that the council have come up with the idea (for traffic wardens to fine people), but realistically how often will they see a driver throwing litter?

"It's the kids they've got to target - and grown-ups who can't be bothered to find a bin when they're walking through town."

Lyn Mader, a volunteer litter picker, said: "The litter is terrible - chewing gum is the worst problem, it should be banned.

"Have a look around Redditch, you'll always see it. It's good the council is looking to do more about it - it would deter people."

Councillors from all parties said they are treating litter as a key theme in the elections.

In March, the Labour-led authority approved the traffic wardens plan, but it still needs to be ratified by the new look council after the May 7 count.

Extra CCTV cameras and anti-litter signs are also being considered by the authority.

Labour Councillor Gary Slim, who represents the Central ward, said: "It's just something else in the armoury.

"If the parking enforcement see littering, then fine them. In the past they couldn't do anything about it, so every little helps.

"We're looking at other stuff as well - we've invested in three new mini-sweepers and steam machine to get the gum off, which should land shortly."

Finn Heath, from the Conservatives, said: "Before we left office in 2024 there was a Conservative plan to increase the number of enforcement officers in Redditch.

"While this plan is fantastic and all well and good (to give traffic wardens powers to fine drivers for littering), what really matters is having enough people to enforce it in the first place."

Liberal Democrat Ann Gee said: "Litter has been a problem for a while (in the town centre). While it's welcome to have traffic wardens looking out for those responsible, I worry it may take them away from their other duties.

"There are plenty of places in Redditch that have problems with cars parking where they shouldn't."

Tim Bradley, from the Green Party, said: "Perhaps education on 'not dropping litter' would be the way forward. If you've got pride in where you live, you don't throw trash around.

"I'm not against giving traffic wardens extra powers, it's whether it's practicable and enforceable to do so, that's the real issue here."

Stephen Lloyd, from Redditch's Reform UK branch, said: "Redditch has more than enough double yellow lines to keep the wardens busy as it is, without giving them extra tasks to do."

Nine of the 27 seats at Redditch Borough Council will be up for grabs on May 7.

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