Hundreds of Bags of Waste Cleared from A14 During Roadworks Closures

More than 300 bags of rubbish, along with unusual items such as half a sofa and several car parts, have been cleared during a series of litter-picking operations along the A14 in Northamptonshire.

These clean-ups have been carried out alongside two major road projects led by National Highways. Planned overnight closures linked to the works have provided a safe window for North Northamptonshire Council teams to tackle litter along verges and laybys.

The activity has focused on two key sections: the River Nene viaduct scheme between junctions 12 and 13, and maintenance work near Kelmarsh between junctions 2 and 3. Since August last year, crews have collected:

• 315 bags of waste

• 3 vehicle bumpers

• 5 mudguards

• A metal vehicle side panel

• 8 tyres

• Half a sofa

Kamaljit Khokhar, Head of Planning and Development, emphasised that roadside litter is more than just an eyesore. He explained that it poses risks to drivers, harms wildlife, and contributes to environmental pollution. He also highlighted the dangers faced by workers, noting that road closures are often necessary to protect those carrying out the clean-ups.

He added that by coordinating with the council, teams were able to work overnight during existing closures, avoiding additional disruption. However, he stressed that such efforts would be less necessary if motorists disposed of their waste responsibly.

Councillor Martin Griffiths, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council, described the initiative as a strong example of partnership working between the council and National Highways. He said the clean-ups have made a noticeable improvement to the appearance of this important route.

He also confirmed that similar work is being considered along the A45, although safety concerns mean it must coincide with planned closures. Griffiths expressed frustration at the level of littering, suggesting much of it comes from passing drivers, leaving local taxpayers to cover the cost of removal.

At the same time, significant infrastructure work continues. On the River Nene viaduct, a major expansion joint is being replaced after reaching the end of its service life. Innovative bridging solutions allow traffic to continue flowing during the day, with construction taking place overnight.

Elsewhere, maintenance work began in January on the eastbound A14 near Kelmarsh to address landslip risks. Repairs to the steep embankment are being carried out during overnight closures where ground movement has occurred.

National Highways is also supporting this year’s Great British Spring Clean, organised by Keep Britain Tidy from 13 to 29 March. The campaign encourages individuals and communities to take action against litter.

Recent research from National Highways found that 22% of people admit to littering on major roads, up from 13% the previous year. More than half were unaware that littering can cause delays due to clean-up operations, while 35% had not considered the impact on wildlife. The RSPCA estimates that nearly three million animals are killed annually as a result of litter.

As part of the campaign, National Highways is organising community events, night-time clean-ups, and staff volunteering initiatives. Volunteers from the A14 River Nene project and Thrapston Town Council are also leading a litter pick near junction 13, aiming to cover as much of the surrounding area as possible.