New Forest District Council launches new game to reduce littering on A35 between Lyndhurst and Hinton as part of Look Out For Our Forest project

NEW large roadside signs along a main Forest route are part of a new litter “game” launched by the council.

Two scoreboards have been installed at either end of the A35 between Lyndhurst and Hinton which display the area’s litter rating.

The score will range from A to D, which denotes a good or bad rating. An overall percentage will also be on display based on how much litter is on the roadside.

The project, which is running until September, aims to discourage people from throwing litter from their vehicles by helping rack up a good score.

The council’s cabinet member for environment and sustainability, Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, said: “This game is a part of our Look Out For Our Forest project which aims to work with people’s natural behaviours, making doing the right thing easier.

“This idea of making doing the right thing a game is not new, but it’s the first time we have tried such a proactive approach in the New Forest to reduce roadside littering.”

He added: “We are really looking forward to seeing positive outcomes from this engaging project.

“If we can all act together, as people who care about the New Forest, we will keep a good score and support a greener future for us all.”

The A35 was chosen for the project for its popularity as a littering spot for drivers.

The section is a direct route through some of the most protected areas of the Forest where damage to plants and wildlife from litter, microplastics and chemicals could have a much wider, lasting impact.

Cllr Blunden added: “Roads like the A35 are more dangerous for our teams to litter pick, needing traffic management to make it safe.

“These traffic management procedures can cause disruptions to road users, such as blocked lanes and temporary traffic lights.

“Litter picking roads such as the A35 is a big task for our teams, taking up to four weeks to complete. Because of this, there is often a significant build-up of litter, which damages our environment.”

NFDC is urging residents not to pick litter on the roadside themselves due to its busy and dangerous location.

If the project proves a success, the council says it may try a similar approach in other areas of the New Forest.