West Midlands worst area for littering in latest AA survey
More people report seeing litter on the roads and in surrounding areas
The West Midlands is the UK's worst region for littering on the roads, according to a new survey carried out by the AA.
More than half (55%) of respondents to a poll of 11,000 AA members said they had noticed more rubbish on roads and surrounding areas than they had previously.
In this area, 63% of respondents reported an increase in seeing roadside rubbish.
That was followed by 58% in the North East, and 57% in both eastern England and the Yorkshire/Humberside area.
The AA recommended local authorities should be given greater funding, to support clean-up operations and to apprehend those who drop packets out of their car windows.
Edmund King, director of the AA Charitable Trust, said: "There is no excuse for car litter louts.
"Tossing rubbish from vehicles spoils the environment, costs millions and puts road workers' lives at risk when they must clear up.
"It is astonishing the number of plastic bottles, take-away wrappers and even kitchen sinks discarded at the roadside.
"The rise in public concern about roadside litter is a wake-up call."
John Read, founder of the Clean Up Britain campaign, added: "The data confirms what many of us see every day - litter is getting worse, and it's damaging our environment and our communities.
"We need to treat this as a national emergency - that means tougher enforcement, better education and a cultural shift in how we view littering."