Roads authorities in South East Scotland have again joined forces to carry out an intensive litter pick along two areas of the A1 trunk road north of Grantshouse and between Dunbar and Thistly Cross, to coincide with Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Spring Clean campaign.
Additional resource and effort from BEAR Scotland, Scottish Borders Council and East Lothian Council on 23 and 24 April saw a total of 280 bags of litter collected as well as a number of large items including car parts, ladders and a mattress. This is over and above routine litter picking activity carried out by these organisations.
Responsibility for litter picking on the A1 varies along the route. BEAR Scotland, which manages trunk roads on behalf of Transport Scotland, is responsible for litter picking on the dual carriageway section between Old Craighall and Thistly Cross Roundabout. Litter picking on the rest of the A1 is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.
The total cost of the operation to collect litter and dispose of litter on these two stretches of the A1, including traffic management to keep the workforce safe, was £10,000. Twenty-five workers were involved, including two volunteers from Berwickshire Anti-litter Group.
Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager said: “While we were pleased to join forces with local authorities and volunteers, it is disappointing and frustrating that litter continues to blight our beautiful countryside. The A1 is a key gateway to Scotland and litter at the roadside must give a terrible impression to visitors and locals alike.
“Workers removing litter at the roadside face various risks, including fast moving traffic, hazardous waste items, and this week even an adder in the undergrowth!
“We urge all road users to take responsibility for their waste by taking it home and binning it.”
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