Litter scourge worsens

500 wheelie-bins worth in Teignbridge at weekend

They're fighting them on the beaches in Teignbridge.  Litter louts. Or they would be if they could catch them. Instead, council workers are having to cope with simply fighting the litter problem itself, because too many people think someone else will clear up after them.

Last week, Radio Exe faced some criticism on social media for highlighting a similar issue at Sandy Bay beach near Exmouth. Some people thought we were making up the picture, which they believed must come from somewhere else. Others believed by showing the picture, visitors would be put off coming, and the area can do with all the help for tourism that it can get as life slowly starts to get back to a form of normality.

Now Teignbridge District Council has made its own appeal. 'Do the right thing," they say. Over the last sunny weekend of May they picked up the equivalent of around 500 wheelie bins full of discarded litter from beaches and open spaces, including glass bottles and cans, disposable barbecue trays and even human faeces left on a plastic picnic blanket at Dawlish Warren. Cleaning up debris "stretches resources to capacity", the council says.

Cllr Alistair Dewhirst, who is responsible for refuse and recycling, says: “Our staff have been working flat out throughout the half term week and this weekend to keep on top of the vast amounts of rubbish generated by visitors to our beaches and open spaces. This is on top of the additional pressures and risks they face daily in carrying out their work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Glass bottles left on beaches present a huge safety risk to members of the public, and discarded barbecue trays could easily start wildfires when put in rubbish bins or left unattended.    We’re asking people to leave only their footprints when they visit our beaches.

The council has also been made aware of antisocial behaviour on some beaches and public spaces, with large groups of people gathering, drinking and creating noise disturbances.

Councillor Andrew McGregor, who's in charge of leisure services and open spaces, says:  “For many, the prospect of a relaxation in the guidance today was seen as a green light to go out and meet up with friends and family over the weekend, and the amazing weather has meant that, understandably, everyone wants to go to the beach and to be outdoors. Some of the behaviour seen over the weekend is completely unacceptable, and we will be working with the police to follow up on reports of antisocial behaviour and littering, and taking any necessary action.”

The council is also reminding people to respect the dogs on beach bans that are currently in place.  Dog wardens will be issuing fines for anyone found breaching the bylaws that prevent dogs on beaches throughout the summer season.

Anyone can report incidences of littering by completing the reporting form on the council’s website.  Dogs on beaches and dog fouling can be reported to envc@teignbridge.gov.uk or using the reporting form.  Antisocial behaviour can be reported directly to the police.