Litter picker photographs “appalling” litter in Bicester

Jamie Jessett, who runs the voluntary group Bicester Litter Pickers, took photographs of the “horrible” amounts of litter located between the Tesco Superstore and McDonalds on Lakeview Drive to document the issue.

The images reveal an array of rubbish and dumped materials in the bushes around the outlets include Costa Coffee and McDonalds cups, plastic bags, crisp packets, glass bottles and concrete, amongst many other things.  

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Litter on Lakeview Drive. Picture: Jamie Jessett

The 26-year old, who is from Kingsmere, said the sight of litter near the units “does not look good” and for people who are visiting the town “it is just awful to see”.  

He said: “They have been like this for a few months. [Tesco] have not done much about it, they are saying private contractors go in and they tidy it up but it does not look like this has happened.”

Mr Jessett litter picks most days and does so with his group, which has nearly 700 members on Facebook, to “make sure the town looks more presentable”.

He wants Bicester to be an inviting place for tourists and does not think it is a “good image” that people are more likely to visit Bicester Village than the town itself.

Plastic bags, cans and crisp packets are dumped around the units. Picture: Jamie Jessett

He describes the issue of littering as a “never ending battle” and feels as though it makes his volunteers think “what is even the point of doing it”.

Mr Jessett feels that there could be more support for litter picking initiatives and local community groups from the authorities.

He said: “I personally think the Government should help the local council to fund equipment to give to the volunteers, like my group. They should be encouraging it.

“This is going to continue going on and on, we need to try and some how get on top of it.

“Fly tipping is always going to be a problem unless someone does something about.”

The rubbish has been dumped in the bushes. Picture: Jamie Jessett

In 2020, Bicester councillor Richard Mould told the Bicester Advertiser “litter is something that most of our residents abhor and in cooperation with Cherwell District Council something we deal with as soon as we are aware”.

Mr Mould appealed to people to use the bins provided in the town.

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Mr Jessett wants people to see litter picking as not a “punishment” but as a way of connecting with other residents and nature.

He added if “people were to see the gratitude” which comes with cleaning up the local area he thinks they would “take it onboard”.

Tesco and McDonalds have been contacted for comment.

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