Council may remove 'offensive' anti-littering signs

Dozens of anti-littering signs placed by volunteers across Peterborough could be removed after the council said it had received complaints that some were "offensive".

The yellow signs appeared on cycleways and parkways in the city with messages such as "don't toss litter" and "take your crap home".

Angus Ellis, Peterborough City Council's cabinet member for environment and transport, said the work of volunteers was valued, but "in this instance, the signage was unauthorised... I have requested that we review the signs and their sites".

The decision has been criticised by volunteers who say the signs help raise awareness of a major problem in the city.

Resident Mark Fishpool, 69, who regularly spends up to 10 hours a day litter picking, described the move as "ridiculous".

"If even one person reads them [signs] and thinks twice, that's less litter on the roads," he said.

"They are a message for people who are littering."

Harry Machin, from Peterborough Litter Wombles, said he supported the signs but accepted that some of the wording may offend.

"I'm very happy to have them there," he said.

"I know some people don't like phrases like 'take your crap home'. Maybe those signs could be removed, but I don't see the point in taking down the rest.

"I think anything that raises people's awareness of litter on the roads is good. We have got a huge problem with litter on the roads, so something needs to change."

Ellis, of the Labour group, said: "We fully recognise and applaud the efforts of volunteers in promoting the proper disposal of litter. However, we must also maintain control over signage within the street scene, particularly where such signage could pose a risk to public safety due to its placement or installation, or cause offence due to the language used."

He said the signs would be reviewed and discussed with volunteer groups and added: "We will also review what alternative suitable, mutually approved signage that targets key problem locations around the city can be installed with council approval."

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