I was pleased to meet the Northampton Litter Wombles in the Houses of Parliament recently to see a presentation from them about the brilliant work they are doing to help tackle the ever-growing problem of littering. Northampton residents may have seen volunteers wearing their purple hi-vis jackets whilst collecting rubbish from the roadsides in our area.
I hear from many constituents about litter in local areas, and I have written to the council on many occasions to try to address these individual problems. Whilst I am often able to help with individual cases, it is a great public service that groups such as the Litter Wombles undertake this work in Northampton.
The Litter Wombles spoke to me, and other Northamptonshire MPs, of several action points they would like to see introduced – including greater enforcement and fines for littering, ensuring National Highways commit to clearing the roads in partnership with local authorities regularly, and rubbish tips opening for seven days a week.
I am very supportive of this group and their work, and there are plans afoot for me to join them on a litter pick In Northampton North in the coming weeks!
(Photo: Sir Michael Ellis MP with Sally Romain and Gordon Romain, members of the Northampton Litter Wombles, on their visit to Parliament to meet Northamptonshire MPs)