Third report – persistent litter remains; matter now subject to formal complaint and FOI scrutiny

Shetland Road, Southmead – multiple locations along the full length, including verges, hedge lines, footway edges, and the corner turning left onto Westleigh Road (behind BT cabinet) Issue type: Accumulated litter / systemic failure of routine street cleansing Description: This is the third FixMyStreet report concerning persistent litter along Shetland Road. Two previous reports were marked as “fixed”. However, litter remains clearly present across several sections of the road, including: Embedded litter within verges and hedge lines Accumulation along footway edges not reached by mechanical sweeping Litter around street furniture and boundary features A persistent concentration behind and around the BT cabinet at the Westleigh Road corner, which appears not to have been addressed during previous visits The condition of the street demonstrates that earlier responses were partial and incomplete, not a full or end-to-end cleanse. Closure of earlier cases therefore did not reflect the actual condition on the ground. This is no longer an isolated service request. The repeated closure of reports while litter remains in situ has now been formally escalated. Escalation context: This location forms part of a wider formal complaint regarding routine street cleansing standards and inspection effectiveness in the Southmead area FOI requests have been submitted seeking clarification of: Cleansing frequencies and inspection records for Shetland Road Service ownership and responsibility boundaries (Waste / Highways / Parks) Evidence used to justify marking previous reports as “fixed” This FixMyStreet report is being logged as supporting evidence within that process It is therefore important that any further action or closure accurately reflects the on-site condition and is supported by a verifiable, comprehensive response, rather than spot or carriageway-only attention. Why this matters: Shetland Road is a heavily used pedestrian route for residents and NHS staff accessing Southmead Hospital. Persistent litter: Signals neglect of the public realm Encourages further dumping Undermines confidence in routine inspection regimes Raises questions about the reliability of “fixed” outcomes reported to the public Statutory and policy context: Environmental Protection Act 1990, s.89 – duty to keep relevant land clear of litter and refuse, including verges and adjacent land DEFRA Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse – requires authorities to prevent persistently unacceptable conditions and address litter accumulating between cleans Highways Act 1980, ss.41 & 130 – duty to maintain highways and protect safe and unobstructed public use of footways Well-managed Highway Infrastructure: A Code of Practice – inspection and maintenance regimes must be effective in outcome, not merely recorded What is required: A thorough, end-to-end cleanse of Shetland Road, including verges, hedge lines, footway edges, and street furniture areas (including behind the BT cabinet) Clear confirmation of service responsibility where boundaries exist between Waste, Highways, and Parks Assurance that this route is subject to an effective routine inspection and cleansing regime, not solely reactive or carriageway-only activity That any future closure reflects the actual condition of the street, not the completion of a limited task Summary: This third report documents an ongoing failure of routine street cleansing, not a new incident. Previous closures have not resolved the issue. Given the formal complaint and FOI activity now underway, a comprehensive and evidenced response is required.