Dispute over trunk road responsibilities

A dispute over who is responsible for clearing litter from Monmouthshire’s trunk roads has left the council and Welsh Government at odds.

Monmouthshire County Council is legally required to keep its highways clean, but uncertainty remains over who has responsibility over the county’s main roads.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Welsh Government is responsible for any trunk road which is a ‘special road’.

But the Welsh Government says it is only responsible for the M4, A48M and the A55 in north Wales – a claim disputed by some local authorities.

In Monmouthshire, the A465, A40, A48 and A4042 had been maintained by the South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA), on behalf of the Welsh Government.

SWTRA would complete litter picks on trunk road verges before mowing them several times a year.

But a reduction in funding has meant SWTRA maintenance has been reduced to one full cut, and a single safety cut, per year.

Carl Touhig, head of Monmouthshire council’s waste and street services, told councillors that the local authority has been forced to take over the work at a cost.

Speaking to an area committee on Wednesday, he said: “We’ve been asked to clean these roads without a budget and we’ve been told that these were always our responsibility.

“It’s unfair to say SWTRA don’t work with us but we’re hitting a bit of a brick wall with Welsh Government.”

Talks have been held between the council and volunteer litter pickers from the Crucorney Environmental Group regarding the use of enforcement action to reduce litter.

Monmouthshire council also has 150 ‘litter champions’ through the Keep Wales Tidy scheme but Mr Touhig said SWTRA has prevented them from helping to clear trunk road verges.

Councillor Owen Dodd, a committee member and litter champion, said: “I’m more than happy to be part of the solution. The time spent by the council picking up this litter is time that could’ve spent on other things.”

Mr Touhig said there was a need for the Welsh Government to engage with councils and other national bodies to create a Wales-wide litter strategy.

But the officer claimed that the legal focus in Welsh Government was ensuring legislation that could be impacted by Brexit was prioritised.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The safety of road users is imperative and we all have a responsibility to dispose of litter in a responsible way.

“The Welsh Government is committed to maintaining the safety of the road network around Wales and working with local authorities to minimise harm to the surrounding environment.

“It is hoped that a resolution can be found to ensure that trunk roads in the area are kept clear and litter free for future generations.”