New campaign in Herefordshire tackles layby littering
Love Our Laybys encourages countryside visitors to dispose of waste responsibly
A new campaign launched by Herefordshire Council aims to tackle the ongoing issue of littering in laybys across the county.
The Love Our Laybys initiative is designed to challenge those who irresponsibly dispose of waste like bottles, food containers, and other rubbish, reminding them that keeping Herefordshire clean is a collective responsibility.
Getting Herefordshire Laybys Clean
Herefordshire Council, along with community volunteers, routinely undertakes cleaning and maintenance services of roadside areas, including laybys.
Their efforts include litter picking, bin emptying, and fly-tipping removal across approximately 500 laybys in the county.
They work with the Public Realm Contractor, M Group, to maintain cleanliness and are supported by enforcement officers to bring about prosecutions wherever possible.
Volunteers use the ‘Hereford Community Clean Up Group’ on Facebook to coordinate litter picking events, and the public is encouraged to join these efforts by signing up through the Council’s website where kits are provided.
Despite these efforts, significant time is spent removing waste deliberately left behind, making these areas unpleasant and potentially hazardous.
To combat this, new signs are being installed at selected laybys to deter littering by highlighting its impact and warning of enforcement measures, including surveillance.
During the campaign launch, Councillor Barry Durkin emphasised the importance of disposing of waste responsibly and urged people to stop treating laybys as dumping grounds.
"The message behind this campaign is simple: take your waste home with you," Durkin said.
He stressed the unpleasant nature of some of the waste found and noted that cleansing teams should not have to deal with such irresponsibility.
Durkin explained that the boldness of the signs reflects the severity of the problem and the need for a bold response to provoke behavioural change.
The campaign will run in conjunction with targeted clean-ups and enforcement activities aimed at those who neglect their littering responsibilities.
Littering: Legal Consequences
In England, leaving litter in laybys or elsewhere in the countryside is an offence with significant penalties.
From September 2026, the maximum fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping will be £5,000. More serious cases prosecuted in court can result in fines up to £50,000 and/or imprisonment in a Magistrates' Court, whereas Crown Court penalties can be unlimited fines and/or up to five years' imprisonment.
Vehicles involved in fly-tipping may also be seized and confiscated.
In response, Herefordshire Council is employing patrols, surveillance, and investigations as part of their enforcement strategy to identify and penalise offenders.
How You Can Support
Residents and road users can contribute by responsibly managing their waste and encouraging others to do the same.
Preparation before travel, using available bin facilities, avoiding unnecessary stops, and carrying waste away are all suggested practices to prevent layby littering.
The Love Our Laybys campaign is sustained by the continued efforts of council teams and community volunteers dedicated to keeping the environment clean in Herefordshire.
Residents can report environmental issues, including littering, via the Council's website.