Litter Shetland Road

Location: Shetland Road, Southmead – full length, including corner turning left onto Westleigh Road (behind BT cabinet) Issue type: Accumulated litter / failure of routine street cleansing Description: I am reporting persistent and ingrained litter along the entire length of Shetland Road, including verges, hedges, and the footway edge. This is a route regularly traversed by residents and NHS staff due to the close proximity to Southmead Hospital. Litter is embedded in the verges and hedge lines, indicating long-term neglect rather than recent dumping. At the corner when turning left onto Westleigh Road, there is a significant accumulation of litter behind and around the BT cabinet, which appears to have been left untouched over an extended period. The condition of the street suggests that routine cleansing and inspection are not effectively addressing the area, rather than this being an isolated or one-off issue. Why this matters: The route is heavily used on foot by hospital staff, patients, and local residents. Accumulated litter creates an impression of neglect, impacts public confidence, and risks further dumping. The embedded nature of the waste indicates that scheduled cleansing is either not reaching verges/edges or is being passed without action. Statutory and policy context: Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 89 – duty to keep relevant land clear of litter and refuse, including through routine cleansing. DEFRA Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse – requires authorities to prevent persistently unacceptable conditions and address litter that accumulates between cleans, including in verges and hedge lines. Highways Act 1980, Sections 41 and 130 – duty to maintain highways and protect safe and unobstructed public use of footways and adjacent areas. Well-managed Highway Infrastructure: A Code of Practice – inspection and maintenance regimes must be effective in practice, not merely scheduled. What is requested: Thorough cleansing of the full length of Shetland Road, including verges, hedge lines, and street furniture areas (including behind the BT cabinet). Confirmation that this route is included in an effective routine inspection and cleansing schedule, not just reactive response to reports. Clarification of service ownership where responsibility may fall between Waste / Highways / Parks. Summary: This is not a single litter incident but evidence of ongoing failure of routine street cleansing on a key pedestrian route adjacent to a major hospital. A comprehensive and end-to-end response is required rather than partial or spot cleaning.