Abandoned roadwork signs are an 'epidemic'

A litter picker says the volume of discarded traffic signage, bollards and sandbags he finds by the roadside has reached "epidemic" levels.

Mark Fishpool, 68, set up the Pride in Peterborough Community Association two years ago in a bid to tidy up areas of the city where he grew up.

He says traffic management contractors are not collecting equipment routinely after roadworks and highway maintenance.

A spokesperson for National Highways, which is responsible for litter collection on motorways and some trunk roads, said: "We make every effort to keep the strategic road network clean and tidy."

Peterborough City Council said they were aware of the problem and were working with partners to get the equipment removed.

"Peterborough City Council and National Highways contract traffic management companies to put signs, bollards and safety lamps out when there are diversions or roadworks," said Mr Fishpool.

He says it is a form of fly-tipping when the companies who set equipment up then leave it behind by the roadside.

Mr Fishpool said he believed the cost of the equipment alone was substantial.

"I reckon one traffic cone would cost around £15," says Mr Fishpool.

Sign frames which hold the traffic signs could cost around £40 to £80 each and the signs themselves could be anything up to £120 each, he said.

"I am in contact with other littler-picking groups across the country," he said, "and they all report the same thing, lots and lots of dumped road signs and related items. It must cost millions."

National Highways said leaving "A frames" were sometimes left ready for use on common diversion routes, "as this is a more efficient and cost-effective approach than collecting and returning them each time".

A spokesperson said: "We make every effort to keep the strategic road network clean and tidy and undertake weekly safety inspections as well as acting on requests and information from our customers.

"Work is ongoing with our contractors to ensure any redundant traffic management equipment is removed from our network and we are grateful to the public for contacting us when this has not taken place."

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: "We are aware of these incidents and are working with partners including Milestone and National Highways to get the dumped signs removed."

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