LUDLOW and the A49 is to be part of a major litter pick by Shropshire Council next month.

Litter is to be picked alongside several Shropshire roads during March 2021 in a month-long effort to clear waste and rubbish from many of the county’s major roads.

Work will be carried out by Shropshire Council and its service provider Kier, starting on Monday, March 8 and ending on March 31.

Some will be carried out during the day, and some will be done overnight.

It’s being undertaken due to the substantial amount of litter alongside these important stretches of road.

From March 23 the contractors will be working for two days on the A49 between Ludlow and Church Stretton and in the town from Sheet Road to Lower Galdeford.

Where work is taking place on dual carriageways, lane closures or diversions may be needed.

Vivienne Parry, a Ludlow Town councillor and member of Shropshire Council, has been calling for action and wants to get people involved in keeping the town clean.

Ludlow used to have a group that met once a month on a Saturday morning to clear up litter.

Mrs Parry, who heads the Ludlow in Bloom group, says that the work is important as it is vital to keep Ludlow looking good not just for locals but also for tourists.

She has also been concerned about commercial rubbish including food waste from shops and other premises in the town centre.

Steve Davenport, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, says that there has been a large amount of rubbish gathering alongside roads in the county.

“We all hate seeing litter at the side of our roads, but I’m determined to do something about it and I ask people to help me in my quest to keep Shropshire litter-free,” he said

“People can help by taking their litter home with them, or putting it in a bin. Most people do and I thank them for doing so. I’d also like to thank the groups in our villages and towns who are helping by doing their own litter picking.

“Unfortunately, there are many others who choose to leave litter and rubbish at the side of the road. This is expensive to clear up, harms the environment and puts the safety of other motorists at risk.

“So, I ask everyone to play their part and help ensure our roads and roadsides are tidier, free from litter, and safer.”