Litter – Trowbridge Road (previous report closed without attendance)

Trowbridge Road, Southmead – section previously reported (including verge, hedge line, and footway edge near Arnside) Issue type: Accumulated litter / failure of routine street cleansing / inaccurate closure of previous report Description: This is a new report following the closure of FixMyStreet reference 8704348, which was marked “Fixed” on [date] despite no visible attendance or cleansing having taken place. The condition of this section of Trowbridge Road remains unchanged. Litter is still embedded in the verge and hedge line and along the footway edge. The waste includes mixed packaging, bottles, and debris trapped in vegetation and around street furniture, consistent with long-term accumulation rather than a recent or one-off incident. There is no evidence of mechanical or manual cleansing (no disturbed embedded litter, no cleared vegetation edges, no swept residue). This strongly suggests the previous report was closed administratively rather than following inspection or works. Why this matters: Trowbridge Road is a busy pedestrian route with high footfall due to proximity to Arnside and nearby local services. Persistent litter degrades the public realm, encourages further dumping, and undermines community confidence. The ingrained nature of the litter indicates that routine inspection and cleansing are not effectively addressing verges, hedge lines, or footway edges, rather than this being a single missed clean. Statutory and policy context: Environmental Protection Act 1990, s.89 – duty to keep relevant land clear of litter and refuse; this duty requires effective outcomes, not administrative closure. DEFRA Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse – requires authorities to prevent persistently unacceptable conditions and to address litter accumulating between scheduled cleans, including in verges and hedge lines. Highways Act 1980, ss.41 & 130 – duty to maintain highways and ensure safe, unobstructed public use of footways and adjacent areas. Well-managed Highway Infrastructure: A Code of Practice – inspection and maintenance regimes must be demonstrably effective in practice. What is requested: Actual on-site inspection and thorough cleansing of the affected section of Trowbridge Road, including verges, hedge lines, and footway edges. Confirmation of attendance (date/time) and what works were carried out. Review of routine cleansing frequency, as this location appears to require more frequent attention due to footfall and repeat accumulation. Clarification of service ownership (Waste / Highways / Parks) to ensure responsibility is not being passed between services. Summary: This is not a one-off litter report but a case of premature closure without resolution on a busy pedestrian route. The issue remains live and requires an inspection-led, end-to-end response consistent with statutory duties.