Todwick: Councillors and villagers want to stamp out litter problem

They have pledged to meet four times a year to spend an hour removing litter that has been discarded around the area, using special equipment provided by Rotherham Borough Council.

It is hoped their efforts will encourage locals to think twice before being careless with their rubbish.

Coun David Gregory, of Todwick Parish Council, who is leading the project, said: “It is not the responsibility of the local authority to remove litter- this is a social thing we are trying to combat.”

“We are staggered by the amount of litter that people discard in and around Todwick, particularly on the recreation ground and on Goosecar Lane, where people often throw rubbish out of their cars.”

“You wouldn’t drop empty crisp packets and coke cans in your own garden and I don’t see how this is any different.”

“We used to have a kind volunteer who would pick up litter and keep the village looking tidy, but he has since found employment.”

“If we don’t do it, nobody else will- and luckily some Todwick residents have displayed great public spirit by lending a hand.”

Mr Gregory added that although Todwick continues to rely on the goodwill of villagers, the council eventually hope to have ‘more robust’ measures put in place in order to eliminate litter.