Tory calls for chain gang prisoners to clean rubbish from busy roads

MP for Brigg and Goole Andrew Percy wrote to the Highways Agency and local councils over the amount of litter on the M62 and A63 in East Yorkshire after complaints from residents.

He said: “The A63 is the main road between Hull and Goole – when people coming off the ferries see it, it makes it look as if we don’t care about the area.

“In the US I have seen chain gangs out clearing highways – why can’t we do that here?

“We have criminals expected to pay back – why not get them out there doing something of use?

The East Riding Council is responsible for a 12-mile stretch of the A63.

So far this year it has picked up seven tonnes of waste – including syringes and hundreds of bottles of urine thrown out of car windows.

A spokeswoman said: “The council started clearing the A63 on March 24 and will be litter picking from North Cave to the Hessle slip road, known as Priory Sidings.

“Both lanes and the central reservation are being cleared.

“The work will take five weekends, with the exception of the Easter bank holiday weekend.

“This work only can be done twice a year because of the need to manage the traffic by closing one lane at time to all vehicles. It is also an expensive exercise for which the East Riding council taxpayer picks up the bill.”

The council removed around 40 tonnes of rubbish last year, at a cost of a £45,000. To report littering the council can be contacted on 01482 393939.