Tunstall Hope Road in Sunderland was temporarily closed on Wednesday 4 February to allow Sunderland City Councilβs Environmental Services team to carry out a major litter pick and verge clear-up, after a significant increase in rubbish being thrown from passing vehicles.
This is the second closure in the past year for the same reason, with the previous clean-up taking place in May 2025. During that operation, crews collected 25 bags of waste. On this occasion, the total rose sharply to 105 bags, with additional Local Services teams drafted in to help complete the work.
The waste collected included beer and lager cans, energy drink cans, glass bottles and disposable vapes. As well as takeaway food cartons and coffee cups.
The closure also came at a significant cost. The total cost for the dayβs closure, including traffic management, staffing and equipment, was Β£4,658.24. A further disposal cost will be added once the final waste tonnage has been confirmed.
Councillor Lindsey Leonard, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Net Zero and Transport at Sunderland City Council, said:
βWeβre asking everyone to do their bit to help keep our city clean by taking their rubbish home rather than throwing it from car windows. Car littering not only damages our environment but creates safety risks and diverts significant resources that could be used elsewhere.
βWe need residentsβ help to crack down on car littering. If you see someone throwing rubbish from a vehicle, please report it. Where we have sufficient evidence, the registered keeper of the vehicle can be issued with a Β£150 civil penalty, even if they were not the person who threw the litter. If that penalty is not paid within 28 days, it increases to Β£300. Together we can help keep Sunderland free from rubbish.β
Residents who witness car littering can report incidents with dashcam footage or photographic evidence at: www.sunderland.gov.uk/car-littering
