During March, Colchester City Council’s Neighbourhood Services teams cleared over eight tonnes of rubbish through a Day of Action in the city centre and a number of A12 litter picking initiatives. The aim was to clear rubbish and tackle other environmental, street care and safety issues, including road sweeping, graffiti removal, and addressing antisocial behaviour.
On 4 March, Neighbourhood Wardens led a Day of Action in Brook Street, St Botolph's and Magdalen Street. Key activities included litter picking, which resulted in the removal of 1,500kg of rubbish, fly-tipping education, and street cleaning. Two Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued after evidence of fly-tipping was found next to litter bins. Additionally, the police conducted joint patrols with the Neighbourhood Wardens, leading to two arrests for drug-related offences.
Taking advantage of overnight road closures on the A12, the Neighbourhood Services team received permission from Essex Highways to conduct overnight litter picks on 22, 23, 29, and 30 March. This monumental effort, involving thirty-four operatives over the four nights, cleared more than six and a half tonnes of waste from the roadside. The areas covered included the stretch of A12 between Junctions 26 and 29 (towards Ipswich) and between Junctions 29 and 27 (towards Chelmsford). While some areas could not be accessed due to staff safety concerns, additional A12 litter picks are planned in the future.
These clean-up efforts resulted in a total of 8,020kg of waste being removed from the environment, which is around the same weight as four large family cars!
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhood Services and Leisure, said: “Eight tonnes of rubbish removed from areas across Colchester in just one month! I’m incredibly proud of the hard work our Neighbourhood Services teams have put into clearing up Colchester and the A12 this March.
“These efforts show what we can achieve when we work together. However, while it’s great to see these results, it’s important to remember that littering is not acceptable in the first place. It’s a problem we must all take responsibility for, as it harms our environment and puts unnecessary strain on public services.”
Cllr Sommers, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Heritage and Public Protection, said: “These initiatives are about much more than just clearing rubbish; they’re about ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.
“Litter, fly-tipping, and antisocial behaviour can create hazards for pedestrians and drivers alike. Our teams are working tirelessly to keep our streets clean, safe, and secure. It’s a shared effort, and I encourage everyone to respect our city and play their part in making it a safer place for all.”
If you'd like to get involved in litter picking by joining the growing team of over 600 Litter Warriors committed to picking litter in their local communities on a regular basis, contact community.volunteers@colchester.gov.uk.
Residents are also encouraged to report fly-tipping and other environmental issues through the council’s website.
Page last reviewed: 4 April 2025