News

A large amount of rubbish was again left in Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead, by a small number of people last weekend.

With temperatures around 30 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday (10 and 11 June 2023), many people chose to enjoy the warm weather by having barbecues and picnics. But some decided to leave their litter, and other rubbish, in the park when they left for home.

Cllr Robin Bromham, our Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Operations, said: “Not only is this rubbish an eyesore and damaging to the environment but, as we enter the summer period where the ground becomes drier, discarded disposable barbecues or unattended barbecues are also a serious fire risk so the chance of fire spreading and causing damage increases. We have some great staff and volunteers picking up litter, but please don’t rely on them. If you see a bit of litter, please take it home with your own, or pop it in a bin.”

We are working with the Herts Fire and Rescue Service to tackle this issue by increasing volunteer and enviro-crime patrols at weekends to advise the public on how to use green spaces in an enjoyable but respectful and safe way.

If you plan on visiting any of the our parks or green spaces for a picnic or barbecue this summer, please remember to do so responsibly and take your rubbish home with you and recycle your empty plastic containers, bottles or cans.

People who do not do this may receive a littering or fly-tipping fixed penalty notice and/or be prosecuted for not disposing of their rubbish correctly.

To find out more about the rules on litter and fly-tipping, plus fire safety advice, please visit our Clean, Safe and Green page and Hertfordshire County Council's advice for hot weather in 2023 page.