THE escalating problem of rubbish blighting a stretch of the A31 is being tackled by environmental workers. Staff from English Landscapes Maintenance Ltd are increasingly being sent out to clean up litter on the stretch of the busy main road between Four Marks and Upper Froyle. A senior council officer believes the rising problem is down to litter escaping from vehicles going into the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Martyn Cole, East Hampshire District Council's environmental services manager (contracts), told the north west area community committee that the route had needed cleaning more regularly since the facility opened in November 2004. "We are very aware that since the MRF was built, the need to cleanse that stretch of the A31 is coming around far more regularly than it ever used to," he said. "There are currently 40 to 50 vehicle movements into that facility every day. We believe that a lot of litter is escaping from these vehicles. "That piece of road is cleaned as and when required and clearly it is requiring a lot of attention. We can do the verges quite easily but the big issue is the central reservation. To do that our contractor has to apply for a road closure and it is very expensive and takes a lot of time. "We are speaking with ONYX and Hampshire County Council and they have promised to recheck their procedures within that facility. We are preparing evidence on what we believe is escaping from these vehicles." Meanwhile, a new wave of metal cigarette bins will be springing up in Alton Town Centre to tackle the increasing problem of butts being discarded on pavements. Mr Cole said: "With the opening of new food and drink outlets around Alton, one unfortunate consequence of this new 'cafe' atmosphere is an increase in cigarette waste. Officers have noticed more cigarette butts on the pavements, around benches and seats. "As it is hazardous to dispose of cigarettes in normal litter bins, EHDC will soon be installing a number of metal cigarette bins around the High Street and Market Square areas, in addition to the limited number of cigarette bins already in place in the High Street. "Residents are encouraged to use these bins, as it is currently an offence to drop litter or cigarettes on the ground, carrying a £75 fine." Concerns were raised about litter blighting areas such as the shopping area in Four Marks and near Alton's Sainsbury's. Maurice Johnson, who represents Four Marks and Medstead, said: "One of the areas that must come close to the top of the league for being indescribably mucky is Four Marks shopping area. There is far too much litter about. To some extent, I think the litter bins might be too small but I think it could also be the takeaways which produce a lot of rubbish during the night and it is there in the morning floating about in the wind." John Smith, district councillor for Alton Westbrooke, said: "The area between Sainsbury's and Minnesotas is absolutely disgusting and it does need almost constant attention." Bob Chilton, who represents Alton Ashdell, added: "I get phone calls from at least three residents who pick litter up on a daily basis there." Ken Ford, streetcare contract supervisor, told the meeting that he had spoken to the manager of Sainsbury's about the problem and he had agreed to make sure it was kept clean. Despite these problems, Mr Cole said street cleanliness had improved in the district since the five-year streetcare contract with English Landscapes Maintenance Ltd began in April 2004. On average just seven per cent of the roads assessed fell below either "excellent" or "good" rating, which far exceeds the government target of no more than 25 per cent of roads being "dirty". But Mr Cole said this would not lead to complacency. "Officers are working with the contractor to bring further improvements to the service. This focuses particularly on the sweeping of pavements and footways and the perennial problem of sweeping out gutters around parked cars." Anyone wanting to report an area that suffers from litter can call 01730 234295.
