Transport Scotland, through the Operating Companies, is responsible for the clearance of litter on motorways.
In addition our Operating Companies also clear litter on the:
Queries or complaints about litter on motorways or the above roads should be addressed to the relevant Operating Company.
Clearance of litter on all other trunk roads (the majority of trunk roads) is the responsibility of the relevant local authority as defined in the Environmental Act 1990.
For further information about the trunk roads see extent of the network and map of the network.
Litter Enforcement
A person who is caught littering is currently liable to a fine of up to £2,500, if the case goes to court. Alternatively, the person may be offered the opportunity to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice, the level of which is £50.
Police officers and designated local authority officers have the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to those who litter.
The extent of litter
Over 50 tonnes of litter are cleared from stretches of the M8, M73, M74, M80, M9, M876, M77 and A823 (M) motorways every month, requiring four 16 tonne skips to help with the clear-up operation. Not only is littering unsightly and dangerous if blown into the face of other vehicles, it can also be harmful to wildlife.
Clearing large volumes of litter on the trunk road network is a burden on the public purse and on the resources of the operating companies. Clearing litter from high speed road verges is also a risky operation.
Our action at Bogmoor Road, Glasgow
A remote area within the M8 boundary on Bogmoor Road, Glasgow had become a fly tipping ‘hotspot’. All efforts to clear the area did not deter fly tipping so a 100 metres of fencing at a cost of £25,000 was built to deter future tipping. This has led to the area remaining fly tipping free.
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