MORE than half a tonne of rubbish was collected from the side of the A12 during a ten-hour overnight litter pick.

The A12 closures, which are part of a major resurfacing project, allowed six members of the council’s street care and safety team to pick up 680kg of litter on Wednesday, April 24.

The litter pick finished in the early hours of the following morning before the A12 was reopened.

Much of the rubbish was collected from the southbound lanes between the exit slip road of junction 26 at Stanway, the entry slip road of junction 25 at Marks Tey, and the entry slip road at junction 27 at Spring Lane roundabout.

Colchester Council’s portfolio holder for neighbourhood services and waste, Martin Goss, praised the street care and safety team and added the A12 closure allowed for a safe litter pick.

He said: “The ability to undertake litter picking along the route is dependent on several factors but primarily resources, the weather, and safe working areas.

“The latter is a significant factor, meaning the full road closure was essential.

“I would like to wholeheartedly thank the Street Care and Safety team for their fantastic work in keeping our city litter-free.”