Website of the UK government

Council street cleaning

Your local council sweeps roads and footpaths helping to keep the environment clean. 

If you feel your street needs cleaning, please contact cleansing or environmental services or their alternative at your local council. The council has responsibility for cleaning public land and 'A' roads. Please ensure you record the name and time of your call and find out what action they intend to take and when.

Schools have a responsibility to clear litter and refuse from their own grounds, but not for litter outside the grounds.

If a piece of private land is littered, the owner is responsible. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 gives both councils and the public the right to take legal action to enforce others to clean up areas.  

If you have concerns about litter or to report a problem, you should contact your local council.

The following links will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

• Find out about street cleaning Opens new window
• Report a litter problem Opens new window

Chewing gum

The ‘Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act’ defines gum as litter. It’s an offence to drop litter on all land in the open air, including private land, water and beaches down to the low water mark. Local authorities can set the level of fixed penalty notices issued for littering offences (between £50 and £80). 

However, the Act puts no requirements on local authorities to clean impacted gum or stains

If you have concerns about litter or to report a problem, you should contact your local council.

Street waste from drug use

Waste from drug use can be disturbing and a health hazard to the public. If you find used drug equipment, you must report this to your local authority. They will arrange for the removal and disposal of needles, syringes and other drug related items that are discarded.

The following links will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

• Find out about removal and disposal of syringes Opens new window
• Report discarded syringes Opens new window

Street furniture

Your local authority will provide and maintain street furniture like seating, decorative lighting and cycle racks. These items can be found throughout your district, in streets, on pavements, in town centres and parks.

If you are concerned about the condition or maintenance of any street furniture in your area, contact your local authority. Remember to provide exact location details and the condition of the item.

The following links will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more. 

• Find out about street furniture Opens new window
• Report a problem with street furniture Opens new window

Dead animals

Your council will be responsible for the removal of any animal found on the public highway. This includes wild animals such as badgers and foxes as well as domestic pets such as cats and dogs. The council will not usually remove a dead animal from a private property. However, they may be able to offer advice on how you should remove the carcass or charge a fee for removal. 

The following links will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

• Find out about dead animal removal Opens new window
• Report a dead animal Opens new window