More than 2.25 tonnes of litter removed from A27 in Lewes

The crew with councillors Manley (fourth from left), Ross (fifth from left) and Carr (seventh from left)

Energy drink cans and disposable coffee cups made up much of the 2.25 tonnes of litter which was cleared from a 10km stretch of the A27 last week.

Lewes District Council’s Environment First team also got rid of 17.5 tonnes of vegetation and soil blocking roadside drains over the four nights of work.

The job was carried out between the Beddingham Roundabout and the Falmer slip road in stages from 9pm to 6am, Monday to Thursday.

Energy drink cans, disposable coffee cups and contractor debris formed the bulk of the rubbish collected.

Environment First has also installed Keep the A27 Clean signs beside the road asking motorists to take their rubbish home and that cargos on trade vehicles should be safely secured.

Councillor Julie Carr, Cabinet member for Recycling, Waste and Open Spaces; Councillor Milly Manley, founder of Litter Free Lewes and Councillor Adrian Ross, Vice-Chair of Lewes District Council visited the clear-up operation last week.

Ms Carr said: “It has been a difficult journey to organise this much-needed clearance of the A27 but a great result to get it done – thank you Environment First.

“Despite various attempts, we were unfortunately not able to schedule it with Highways England roadworks so paid for lanes to be closed as this work urgently needed to be carried out.

“Now it is crucial that everyone, from motorists to those responsible for trade vehicles, does their bit to keep the A27 clean.”

The council hopes to tackle the corresponding eastbound stretch of the A27 later this month.

Ms Manley said: “Having campaigned for a cleaner district and, in particular, a litter-free A27 for many years, I am absolutely thrilled that staff at Lewes District Council have made this happen, after many hurdles and challenges.

“We now have safer and better ways of working, and I am optimistic that the upkeep of cleaner verges is going to be significantly more manageable from here on. Huge thanks to the hard-working team on the ground.”

Mr Ross said: “It was great to meet the whole A27 clean-up team and to be able to thank them for the amazing work that they’re doing.

“I understand that it has been a long and frustrating journey to get here - getting the right training, obtaining Highways England permissions and hiring the necessary cone-laying and safety vehicles - but it was absolutely worth it to see the verges finally clear of litter.”