Rubbish decorates A34 in Oxford 'like Christmas decorations'

Vale of White Horse district councillor Debby Hallett submitted a question to be heard at a full council meeting next week questioning the authority's responsibility around litter removal from the major road.

She says she is largely concerned about the stretch of the road from Hinksey Hill driving up towards Botley northbound.

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Speaking to us, the Liberal Democrat representative for Botley and Sunningwell added: "I have been a member of the council for 13 years now.

"Since I started I've been trying to get some action to improve the litter condition on the A34 because I think it's just horrible.

Debby Hallett. (Image: Contribution.)

"There are piles of rubbish like Christmas decorations all along the road."

Ms Hallett confirmed she had been contacted by many "embarrassed" householders in the area but was often told the situation was "complex" when she tried to bring it up.

"We haven't been doing a very good job in my personal opinion and that of others," she added.

In her question, to be heard on Wednesday evening next week, Ms Hallett tries to ascertain what the council's responsibility is in relation to litter removal from the A34.

A34. (Image: Newsquest)

She also believes National Highways should ideally be responsible for clearing up the mess and added "it seems district council have their hands tied by (limited) access to the road".

One west Oxford resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "It is absolutely disgraceful – why does the road look like a linear landfill site?

"What kind of idiots would throw rubbish out of their trucks?"

Osney and St Thomas Labour city councillor Susanna Pressel has also weighed in with her concerns.

Susanna Pressel. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

Ms Pressel said: "I often get complaints about the rubbish that gets dropped along the A34 and all round the ring-road. In places it is truly awful.

"I often help with OxClean -- the annual spring-clean organised by the wonderful Oxford Civic Society, together with the city council.

"They sometimes bravely tackle the litter on the ring-road, for which we should be very grateful.

"It would be good if we could persuade people to stop dropping litter in the first place."

A spokesman for the Vale of White Horse District Council said: "As a district council, we are responsible for clearing litter on roads within our district.

An archive photo of rubbish not showing the A34.

"However, clearance work on A-roads can only take place with agreement from Oxfordshire County Council's Highways Team or, in the case of the A34, National Highways.

"This is to ensure that crews will be safe at times when they are carrying out the work, usually only when maintenance or a closure is also scheduled on that stretch of the road. 

"Road litter clearance will be considered as part of our new upcoming waste strategy.

A full response to Cllr Hallett's question will be provided at the council meeting next week."

Anna Railton, city council cabinet member for zero carbon Oxford said the littering and fly-tipping "puts people's lives at risk cleaning it up" and she would "love better enforcement".

We have contacted National Highways and Oxfordshire County Council for comment.

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About the author

Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county. 

She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.

Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi