AN ANTI-LITTER initiative used on the A38 in Devon is to be rolled out across the rest of the south west by Highways England.

Success of the ‘bins and signs’ scheme has encouraged the company to repeat the formula in Wiltshire, Somerset and Gloucestershire.

Councils in the region have identified the worst affected laybys in their area - and this Sunday Highways England will be starting work to install bins and ‘keep it tidy’ signs in 14 laybys along the A40, A36, A4 and A303.

The company, responsible for the country’s major A roads and motorways, has invested £80,000 in promoting the ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ venture.

Chris Regan, South West Head of Service Delivery for Highways England, said: ‘Littering is a social problem across the country and our priority is to keep our roads safe and well maintained for drivers and neighbouring communities.’

He added: ‘Roadside litter is not just unsightly but it’s a threat to wildlife and the environment and it can also be a safety hazard for drivers, can block drains and picking it up puts roadworkers at risk.

‘Litter collections are the responsibility of local authorities, but we’re delighted to be working in partnership with our councils.’

Some 200,000 bags of litter are collected from Highways England’s motorways every year, figures have revealed.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean, backed by Highways England, is scheduled from March 20 to April 13.