As devoted volunteers of the Angling Trust Volunteer Bailiff Service and integral partners of the Anglers Against Litter campaign, we have witnessed, first-hand, the escalating littering problem along the River Ribble Free Stretch in Preston, Lancashire (from the Old Shaws Arms Pub up to the Tickled Trout Hotel, also the slip roads to Brockholes Nature Reserve). Over the past three years, our sincere efforts have led to the removal of an average of 50 bags of rubbish on each litter pick, over 450 bags of rubbish in total. Yet, this is no sustainable solution and it is increasingly clear that the area direly requires more than sporadic clean-ups.

We call for Preston City Council to install more bins along the river stretch and ensure regular servicing of the bins to cope with the output. This is not simply about preserving the natural beauty of our environment. It's also about guaranteeing the safety and health of the local wildlife and our community. Additionally, the council should erect official, permanent, and multilingual signage informing visitors of the anti-littering laws and possible fines for non-compliance. This would cater to the diverse demographic of Preston and effective communication is a key aspect of solving the littering problem.

The river is a popular destination for walkers, dog owners, anglers and families. Exhaustive efforts by local volunteer groups to clean up the area have barely made a dent due to the magnitude of the problem. A study in 2019 by Keep Britain Tidy found that 2.2 million pieces of litter are dropped on the UK's streets every day, contributing to land and sea pollution. It's crucial that Preston Council steps up to take responsibility for maintaining the well-being of our shared natural spaces.

Finally, a more active role must be assumed by law-enforcement officials, requiring regular patrols to enforce these regulations. Without stringent enforcement, signage and bins will not serve their intended deterrent functions. Fines are an effective deterrent: a Keep Britain Tidy report showed that 44% of people are more likely to act correctly when informed of the legal consequences (Keep Britain Tidy, 2019). These combined actions can lead to substantial reduction in littering and ensure the preservation of the River Ribble Free Stretch.

Help us safeguard this beautiful environment for future generations. Sign our petition and take a stand against littering.