Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, sign up today to unlock exclusive content and be part of our community discussions

Exclusive discounts
Enjoy commenting on local issues

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

Aug 2020

Environment

Littering in the Pinewoods 'a continual problem'

Published: 3 Aug 2020, 11:50 BST

Updated: 27 Aug 2020, 16:47 BST

by Calvin Robinson

As lockdown has been eased, a local conservation group say littering in Pinewoods in Harrogate has increased - and new statistics reveal the council did not hand out any fines for littering in the last financial year.

Examples of littering in Pinewoods in Harrogate.

Littering in the Pinewoods is still a problem and has increased since lockdown was eased, according to a local conservation group.

The Pinewoods Conservation Group said the relaxation of restrictions has resulted in large gatherings coming to the woods and leaving rubbish behind.

It said volunteers are often out cleaning up the litter, but added that this “should not be necessary”.

The news follows similar complaints made about large gatherings on the Stray in June.

The Stray in disarray: ‘Biggest mess for six years’

Fly tippers target secluded Ripon site

Rudding Park volunteers pick up 400kg of rubbish

Empty beer cans, pizza boxes and laughing gas canisters were left overnight in what was described as the “biggest mess for six years”.

It comes as a Freedom of Information request by Clean For Britain, a campaign to reduce litter and fly tipping, found that Harrogate Borough Council handed out no fines for littering in 2018/19.

Pinewoods Conservation group called on the borough council to take the matter seriously.

A spokesperson for the group said:

“Litter in the Pinewoods is a continual problem and did increase coming out of lockdown.

“Our volunteers and supporters do an amazing job at keeping the litter down but really shouldn’t be necessary. We know there is no real enforcement even when there are large groups congregating and it is obvious who is generating the litter.

“It is also the case that, in the woods, litter then leads to more serious damage and anti-social behaviour. It is time that the council started to take its enforcement responsibilities seriously.”

A spokesperson for the borough council said:

“Thankfully, by and large, there is very little litter in the Harrogate district. Where there have been isolated issues, such as on the Stray, our parks and environmental services team have worked tirelessly to have it cleared as quickly as possible.

“We have also added signage and additional bins/collections to remind people to be respectful of the beautiful surroundings we have in the district.

Thank you for your interest in this story

Littering in the Pinewoods 'a continual problem'

Read more: