Passionate Ulverston campaigner explains why changing attitude towards littering is key

Martin Stables made a name for himself in the last couple of years for cleaning up litter from the sides of the A590 and other parts of Furness but has started to reach breaking point in his fight against this issue. He is suggesting those that care are in the minority and more should be done to stop littering at its source rather than picking up afterwards.

"I am trying to open people's eyes to the problem," he said.

"People seem to be against us as when we are out it is like the litter pickers are in the wrong as people get abused and shouted at.

"People have even had knives pulled out on them for questioning people on littering elsewhere in the country.

LITTER: Rubbish collected by Martin Stables from Crossamoor in Ulverston

"I have almost given up at this point as I feel I cannot take on the world.

"People know it is wrong as I have never seen people actually doing it, which means they are doing it on the sly."

The 67-year-old wants everyone to take responsibility for their own actions as he believes that although litter pickers do a great job, it should not be necessary.

The Urswick resident had his eyes opened to the scale of the problem when he visited Adelaide in Australia in 2019 when he bumped into students doing a litter pick survey and noticed a stark contrast between what they were finding and what you would find in the UK.

"It is everyone that does it, even reputable people litter like you wouldn't believe," he said.

"We need to put people on the spot for what they are doing or not doing.

"For some people litter picking has become a hobby and they don't seem to ask why they have to go to the same places picking up time after time."

LITTER: Rubbish collected by Martin Stables from Crossamoor in Ulverston

Mr Stables said he has approached MPs and councillors about this but has not seen an active response from them and wants to push for a solution to the problem at its core, rather than a series of litter picks that although serve a purpose, are like plastering over the mouth of a volcano.

He believes stronger language like York City Council's anti-litter signs saying 'Do not be a tosser' which have really got residents taking notice. "A tosser is someone who throws something so it is relevant here and should not be seen as offensive" Mr Stables said.