LETTERS have been sent to the owners of a number of waste transport lorries asking them to take action to stop litter blowing from their vehicles.

This follows a recent ‘Respect Your Neighbourhood’ action day in the Seaton ward, focusing on the area bordered by Stockton Road, Seaton Lane, Brenda Road and Usworth Road, and including the Jutland Road residential area, in Hartlepool.

A total of 17 vehicles were seen and letters have been sent to the companies concerned, reminding them of their duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to ensure that rubbish is not able to escape from the vehicles transporting it.

Councillor Marjorie James, chairman of the Hartlepool Council’s neighbourhood services committee, said: “Litter from waste transport vehicles can, and does, blow into residential areas.

“The Council has written to the companies to ask them to ensure that their vehicles are properly covered so that litter can’t escape.

“Working together we can all play a role in helping to keep our town a clean and pleasant place in which to live.”