WHAT a mucky lot we are!This is one week's rubbish gathered from beside the A14 between the Orwell Bridge and Thurston, and on the A12 between Copdock and the Essex border.

WHAT a mucky lot we are!

This is one week's rubbish gathered from beside the A14 between the Orwell Bridge and Thurston, and on the A12 between Copdock and the Essex border.

Mid Suffolk, Babergh and Ipswich Councils have teamed up to clear unsightly litter from the trunk roads and the team is out from Sunday to Thursday each week.

The new service has been in operation since mid May and from inspection of the routes it is clear they are already making a big difference.

This is one week's litter picked up from the side of the roads.

Mid Suffolk's head of waste Paul Lewis said: "it is surprising just how much litter is dumped by litter-louts and gets spilled from commercial vehicles on these routes.

“The Councils have responded to complaints from residents about the state of the A14 and A12, in terms of litter and rubbish, by jointly funding the cost of the new service, in proportion to the stretch of the route in each Council area."

The cost of the service is being met from the budget used to pay the previous contractor, so it is hoped that Suffolk residents will see a great improvement in the standard of cleanliness on the routes at no additional cost.

Mr Lewis added: “Should you see anyone throwing litter, or rubbish being spilled from commercial vehicle, if it is safe to do so, please contact your local Council with the details so we can take appropriate enforcement action.

“We will need registration number, description of the vehicle, the approximate location and time of day the incident was observed.”