Residents: "Stop The Rubbish On Hove Lawns"

Friday, 19 June 2020 15:50

By Sarah Booker-Lewis

More needs to be done to combat litter on the seafront as people are set to use the beach for eating and drinking this summer.

Brunswick and Adelaide councillors Phélim Mac Afferty and Hannah Clare, whose ward covers Hove Lawns, are to raise the issue at the city council Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee on Tuesday 23 June.

In a letter to Brighton and Hove City Council chief executive Geoff Raw, they said in recent weeks residents have asked for more action on litter.

Their letter said:

“As the city recovers from the pandemic, it is clear a ‘business as usual’ approach to seafront litter is no longer an option.

“With an increasing number of food outlets moving to takeaway-only in response to Covid-19, the weather warming, but with no venues open to manage waste, more people are eating and drinking on the beach."

They added:

“Meanwhile, the new bins on the seafront which offer residents the chance to separate their waste are routinely overflowing, though communal bins next to them are often empty.

“There is still inadequate education about bins and action on public waste has not been taken fast enough, despite powers to enforce maximum fixed penalty notices for littering and a pledge to work with local traders to reduce waste at source.”

Both councillors want more action on the authority’s 2018 commitment to become a single-use plastic-free city.

They're asking for more work with businesses to prevent the use of single-use plastics and to encourage more beach-front traders to use sustainable packaging.

Environmental group Surfers Against Sewage has called for better beach cleaning, and the councillors would like to see the authority offer its support.

A “heightened communications campaign” reminding people about their responsibilities when it comes to dealing with their rubbish is another of their suggestions.

The Environment Transport and Sustainability Committee’s “virtual meeting” is due to take place from 4pm on Tuesday, 23 June.

It is webcast on the council’s website.

(by Sarah Booker-Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter)

More Radio is continuously dedicated to providing a quality news service on-air and online, reporting local stories that matter across Sussex.

If you found this story useful, then check out our home page at moreradio.online where you can find the latest from the county, along with features and competitions from our presenters, as well as listening to the station live.

You can also sign up to our news alerts to receive updates on new stories. Simply click on the bell at the bottom right of the home page. This will then allow a pop-up which will ask if you would like to receive alerts. Press ‘allow’ and you’re all signed up!

You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.