To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received about roadside litter in England; what steps the Highways Agency takes against roadside litter along trunk roads; what assessment he has made of the change in volume of roadside litter in England; and if he will make a statement. (131585)

I have received various representations on litter from members of the public and members of both Houses.

The Highways Agency has a duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to clear litter and refuse from the strategic road network, which includes all motorways and some A-roads and trunk roads. The cleansing duty on other roads is the responsibility of the relevant local authority. To ensure satisfactory standards, cleansing is undertaken in accordance with the Code of Practice for Litter and Refuse.

Data from the Local Environmental Quality Survey of England 2005-06 show that there has been a steady improvement in cleansing performance over the last three years. However, the survey indicated a rise in levels of detritus on rural roads and other highways.