Littering across UK roads is on the rise, according to a new AA survey.
More than half of 11,000 AA members surveyed (55%) said they’ve noticed more rubbish on roads and in surrounding areas compared with previous years. That’s slightly higher than the 52% who reported the same last May.
Edmund King, director of the AA Charitable Trust, called the findings “a wake-up call” and said it’s time to tackle roadside litter “once and for all”.
The survey, carried out last month, found the West Midlands is the worst-hit region, with 63% of respondents saying littering has increased. The North East followed at 58%, along with eastern England and Yorkshire/Humberside at 57%. Northern Ireland reported the lowest increase at 49%.
The AA says councils need more funding to enforce fines for people who drop litter from vehicles and to support clean-up operations. It also wants better roadside facilities, including larger and more visible bins at lay-bys and service stations, to make it easier for drivers to dispose of rubbish responsibly.
“There’s no excuse for littering from cars,” King said. “It damages the environment, costs millions, and puts road workers at risk when they have to clear it. The amount of waste we see - from plastic bottles and takeaway packaging to even kitchen sinks - is astonishing.”
John Read, founder of Clean Up Britain, added: “These figures confirm what many of us see daily. Litter is getting worse and it harms both our environment and our communities. We need to treat this like a national emergency - with stronger enforcement, better education, and a cultural shift in how we view littering.”
