THE Highways Agency will launch its summer Bag it Bin it campaign at Baldock Services tomorrow to urge motorists to help keep the A1 (M) clean of litter. The Highways Agency estimates that around 700,000 bags of litter are removed from our road network ev

THE Highways Agency will launch its summer Bag it Bin it campaign at Baldock Services tomorrow to urge motorists to help keep the A1 (M) clean of litter.

The Highways Agency estimates that around 700,000 bags of litter are removed from our road network every year.

On motorways in the East of England, including the A1 (M), three four-man crews cover 4km every day and fill five 10.7 metre skips a week the equivalent of 8,940 black bags of litter every year.

Drivers are now being encouraged to carry a litter bag in their vehicle to collect their rubbish until they can safely dispose of it.

The biodegradable and recyclable litter bags will be available at many retail outlets on motorways.

Highways Agency director of network operations for the East of England Gwyn Drake said: "Clearing litter puts our road workers at risk from injury and diverts resources away from road maintenance and repairs. Items thrown from vehicles can be a hazard to other road users.

"Litter is unsightly, is bad for the environment and can block drains and lead to localised flooding. We want to remind drivers to keep a bag for rubbish in their vehicles and use it to store their litter until it can be thrown away safely in a bin.