Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 38013, what Quality Assurance she has that the removal of litter and detritus is done within the timeframes set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and whether it is done to standards deemed appropriate within the Act.

National Highways’ Performance Specification includes a Performance Indicator for litter. This metric monitors the cleanliness of the Strategic Road Network and is the percentage of the Strategic Road Network where litter is graded at A or B as defined in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Code of practice on Litter and Refuse. National Highways performance indicator score for 2023-24 is 59.2% of the Network is graded at A or B.

National Highways is monitored against its Performance Specification by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The ORR report annually to Parliament and the public on National Highways’ performance, including litter. If the ORR deem that National Highways is not complying with its statutory directions or complying with the requirements of the Road Investment Strategy, they may determine enforcement action to be appropriate.