Gainsborough: West Lindsey District Council clamp down on littering

A Gainsborough van driver is £75 worse off after being caught throwing a cigarette out of his window.
Gainsborough Standard In Court logoGainsborough Standard In Court logo
Gainsborough Standard In Court logo

The man, who was behind the wheel of a local building company’s vehicle, was handed the fixed penalty notice by a West Lindsey District Council Officer who saw him discard the cigarette end.

The driver was caught in the act while stuck in stationary traffic caused by the road resurfacing works at Lea Road in Gainsborough.

Just one week later a second company vehicle driver was handed a fixed penalty notice for the same offence.

The firm involved was also warned about allowing employees to smoke in company vehicles and have since amended their protocols.

Littering is an offence under section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and fully trained council officers have powers to issue £75 fixed penalty notices to anyone caught.

If these fixed penalties are not paid, culprits face a fine at magistrates’ court of up to £2,500.

Environmental protection officer, Nigel Periam, said: “This case should act as a warning to anyone who thinks it is acceptable to litter by throwing cigarette ends out of their vehicle windows.”

“Anyone smoking in a company vehicle or on any premises designated as a no smoking area is liable to a fine of up to £200 at a Magistrates Court.”

“A company that fails to prevent its workforce from smoking in no smoking areas is also liable for a fine of up to £2,500 under the Health Act 2006.”

Companies that fail to provide adequate no smoking signage within vehicles and places of work also face fines.

Street cleansing costs each household in West Lindsey around £15 every year.

This includes emptying dog and litter bins, litter picking and fly-tipping.

Coun Alan Caine, who sits on the West Lindsey Community Safety Partnership, added: “Littering of this kind is simply unacceptable.”

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to keep West Lindsey clean. We know residents feel strongly about these issues and we would urge people to report incidents to us.”