Andy Tilley and Deanne Gough have spent five years litter picking along the A17 on a Sutton Bridge Wombles clean-up mission
Fake breasts, an unemptied catheter, bottles filled with urine and a 21-year-old crisp packet are the more unusual items found by a dedicated couple who have litter-picked for more than five years.
Sutton Bridge Wombles - Andy Tilley and Deanne Gough - regularly clear the eight lay-bys on the A17 between Sutton Bridge and Long Sutton filling up some 75 rubbish bags in a four-and-a-half-hour cleaning session.
The volunteers who regularly endure abuse - and rubbish - hurled at them by passing motorists, need knowledge of how to deal with vermin and up-to-date tetanus injections as thanks for their community service.
Every week they clear the eight-mile-stretch up to the McDonalds and BP garage roundabout of leaves, overhanging trees and rubbish left in the tyre bins provided to avoid debris being strewn across the lay-bys and road.
Deanne said: “We live in a throw-away society.
“If someone buys a new phone and doesn’t want it they just chuck it away.
“When we were young we took our rubbish home with us.”
The couple are supported by South Holland district councillors Jack Tyrell (environmental services portfolio holder), Chris Brewis, Michael Booth and David Wilkinson - which gives them authority to litter-pick and have the tyre bins is on the A17.
Andy and Deanne both feel that the general public should be held accountable for throwing litter - one suggestion being car registrations or telephone numbers printed on receipts from fast food stops.
They also would like to see more resources such as cameras in lay-bys and education to teach about the impact of irresponsibly fly-tipping and throwing litter
Andy said: “People have shouted ’get a job’ so I shout back ’use a bin’ but we are just used to it now.
“Fly-tippers should have their cars crushed there and then. I think their registration should be put on receipts to help identify them,
“Penalties need to be much tougher - we clear bags and bags of dog mess - we need more resources - cameras - but there is an issue around GDPR.”
The couple, own a lorry firm and do all this in their spare time, clear the lay-bys using their truck and trailer that has a flashing light for visibility. They are fully insured by the council to work along the A17.
They have up-to-date tetanus immunisations, specialised high visibility clothing along with knowledge of health and safety - and how to deal with vermin. They use their own equipment such as spades and chainsaws and are part of the Truckers Cleaning Up Britain group.
Hundreds of discarded vapes have been collected by the couple - which can be dangerous due to the lithium battery. One vape did caused a fire that Andy had to quickly deal with.
They have thanked McDonalds for donating refuse bags and Bush Tyres in Long Sutton for disposing of dumped tyres.
Deanne said: “We feel lucky that we are respected and have support.”
Although they were ‘promised’ cameras in the lay-bys, there is a cost to having the resources to check them.
As traffic hurtles past them at the 60mph, they visit each lay-by to empty the tyre bins that are filled with cups, cartons and packaging from the nearby facilities.
Deanne said: “People say it’s McDonalds fault - but it’s not - it’s your fault.
“We are lucky with the support from McDonalds and Bush Tyres who have helped us with tyres that have been dumped.
“We report those as fly-tipping but they are still there after weeks and weeks.”
What seems a thankless task is a passion for the couple who take pride in the area.
Deanne said: “People will come and talk to us while we are on our hands and knees clearing litter.
“Some people buy us coffee and thank us.”
On a typical morning they can fill up to 100 refuse sacks which they return to the Curlew Centre in Sutton Bridge for the council workers to collect.
Rat holes surround the tyre bins so they kick the bin first before taking anything out as rodents scurry away.
Along with the debris of drink, food and urine, some more unusual objects have been discarded reflecting another side of life on the road.
Andy said: “We find a lot of lady toys.
“We found a pair of size 11 stilettos. Unfortunately I am only a size nine so I didn’t keep them!
“We’ve found nipple clamps, suspenders, brand new clothes and a lot of things to do with drugs.”
The couple feel the police could do more when they find discarded bikes - they have been told to give them away - by returning them to their owners.
They often find dens which they leave intact, after clearing the rubbish, and pass on anything they find that is helpful to those taking shelter.
The couple also clear the dykes that run parallel with the A17 which helps nearby farmers.
Now it is autumn they have started clearing the leaves from the lay-by to make it safer for drivers to stop.
Deanne said: “Drivers are blamed for rubbish but it is everybody and the council have not got the resources or money to control it.
“We don’t do this to be recognised. We are committed to what we do and our main objective is keeping Sutton Bridge and Long Sutton clear.”
The couple are going to be thanked by councillors at a private function on Thursday, November 28.
The nine things Andy and Deanne say would help to keep the area tidier
After more than five years of litter-picking from lay-bys on the stretch of the A17 between Sutton Bridge and Long Sutton this is Andy Tilley and Deanne Gough would like to see happen:
1. Cameras provided by district or county council that are regularly monitored to identity individuals fly-tipping
2. Police to follow up on dumped items such as bikes so that if stolen they can be returned to the owner
3. Registrations or telephone numbers printed on fast food till receipts so that drivers can be held accountable for littering
4. Education in schools to learn about the impact of irresponsible fly-tipping and throwing litter
5. Heavier penalties for fly-tipping - a ban on driving or the owner’s vehicle being disposed of
6. Individuals to take more responsibility and not leaving it up to someone else to clear up
7. Using a bin and taking rubbish home to safely dispose of
8. Faster response to their fly-tipping reports - items such as tyres have not been collected for several weeks
9. Better information of how and where to dispose of vapes and canisters
We’re trying to find a solution to fly-tipping
A councillor says he is trying to find a solution to tackle fly-tipping.
Coun Jack Tyrell, South Holland District Council’s portfolio holder for environmental services has praised Sutton Bridge Wombles Andy Tilley and Deanne Gough.
He has supported the couple from the start - covering insurance to safely litter-pick on the A17 between Sutton Bridge and Long Sutton - but recognises that the public feels the council should do more.
He said: "People think they work for the council but they don't.
"We went through the budget and the council hasn't got loads of money - it costs £80,000 per year to clear residents' rubbish.
"From our perspective the district will clear up what goes in council bins - but we don't litter pick.
"I am trying to find a solution."
The councillor is all for cameras in the lay-bys to monitor fly-tipping but says there are complexities around this.
He said: "There are two councils - Lincolnshire County Council is responsible for the lay-bys and SHDC is responsible for the bins.
"If the public wanted the ten tyre bins to be replaced with a council bin there would likely only be one provided in one lay-by.
"If we provide that then something else is going to suffer - we won't have the toilets or look after grass - things will be cut back in other areas.
"We can put cameras up but we have to notify that they are there."
This is why he has supported Andy and Deanne in their community efforts.
In four-and-a-half hour sessions the coupe fills up 70-100 bags per week from litter in the lay-bys.
Coun Tyrrell said: " They do this every weekend - whether it's snowing - they cut the grass, hedges and clean up.
"There are a lot of people who appreciate it."
Coun Tyrell added: "They come out and do all of this work - we can't as a council do what they do.
"We collect rubbish and we collect grass twice a year - they (the Wombles) don't do this to embarrass us.
"It is amazing what they do and they are lorry drivers so they know what it is like to be on the road."
The idea of vehicle registrations or telephone numbers being printed on fast food outlet receipts and heftier penalties for fly-tipping is also welcomed by Coun Tyrell.
He said: "The trouble with fly-tipping for say members of the traveller community is that there is nowhere for them to take their rubbish as they don't have a postcode.
"If the car registration could be printed they could use the tip for a week and extend it to their trucks full of rubbish or garden clearance.
"They could then pay to bring their truck load to us as long as they have got registration - but this is just a suggestion."
Andy and Deanne have been provided with safety gear, equipment and insurance plus £500 per year to cover their diesel costs and keep photo records of all the waste they deal with.
Coun Tyrell said: "What really riled me was when someone - who must have had a dog kennel - put heavy bags of dog mess in the lay-by because they knew it was going to be picked up.
“Why would they (Andy and Deanne) want to do it? They come across needles, glass, all sorts - and they are doing it for nothing.
"This is insulting to two people who are going above and beyond."
Coun Tyrell also recognises the need for the public to take some responsibility for their rubbish.
He said: "There are more good people than there are bad and that is what I love about this place.
"At the end of the day I am glad they do this as we must have the cleanest area.
"I don't know if I could find any two people like them anywhere.”
Neighbouring Long Sutton used to have a Wombles group and parish council chairman John Clarey has received complaints from people regarding the tyre bins.
He said: "The Wombles do a fantastic job and you can always see where they have been.
"I don’t think the Wombles should empty the bins with the variety of rubbish in them and that should be done by the council.
"As far as I know South Holland District Council should look after the rubbish bins in the lay-bys."
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