Spring cleaning on two of Grimsby’s main roads

North East Lincolnshire Council has cleared up more than 66 tonnes of litter, vegetation and other debris from two of the main roads in Grimsby.

Workers spent four consecutive weekends giving the A180 Westgate and A46 Grimsby Road (between Morrison’s and the A18) a deep clean while the traffic was quiet.

Teams from street cleansing and grounds maintenance worked with ENGIE’s highways department to close lanes at times when the road was quiet to cause as little disruption as possible.

Over the five days, litter pickers collected 3,150kg of rubbish, road sweepers swept up 44,260kg of debris and gully cleaners extracted 18,900kg of sludge.

Littering makes the place look a mess and can harm wildlife and the environment. Anyone caught littering from their vehicle faces a fine of up to £200.

Workers from grounds maintenance cut and strimmed the grass verges, sprayed weeds, and cut the tops from spring flowering bulbs on the A180.

On the A46 they sprayed weeds, strimmed, and cut the grass and removed the clippings to encourage the wildflowers to grow.

The next location for a deep clean is the A46 between Morrison’s and Peaks Parkway.

The Council’s Environmental Services team have adapted the way they work in response to comply with social distancing guidance from the government.

Cllr Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

“It’s staggering to see the amounts removed from the sides of the A180 and A46. Litter, vegetation and other debris builds up over time and every so often the area needs a thorough clean.

“The A180 and A46 are two of the key gateway roads for the area and it’s important that we carry out this type of maintenance to keep them in good condition.

“I’m proud of our staff for the way they have adapted to the social distancing guidelines and carrying with as much of their work as they possibly can.”

Before and after shots

Workers using a machine to unblock a gully on the A180

A freshly cut grassed central reservation on the A46.

A road sweeper cleaning a slipway on the A180.

Freshly swept slipway on the A180.

A road sweeper vehicle in action.