As part of the council’s ongoing It’s Your Place campaign, the annual rural roads programme is now well underway.

Roads in East Kilbride will be targeted from Tuesday 30 June, covering the following areas: Strathaven Road, Markethill Road, Cairnmuir Road, Peel Road, Carmunnock Bypass, Stoneymeadow Road, Flemington Road, Crookedshields Road, Shields Road, Burnhouse Road and Auldhouse Road.

Time spent on each road will vary dependent on volumes of litter, length of the road, and weather conditions.

To ensure the safety of the workforce during the clean-up programme, each road will have to be reduced to one lane at the sections being worked on between 9am and 3.30pm daily from Tuesday - Friday each week.

However, as some could take longer than others, drivers are urged to be prepared for potential delays or to consider alternative routes.

Colin Reid, the council’s Grounds Manager, said: “Our teams work hard throughout the year trying to keep our environment clear from dumped litter and rubbish.

“It is so disappointing that every year we have to spend so much time and money clearing up rubbish that could and should have been disposed of responsibly.

“So, we urge everyone to always put their rubbish in litter bins, household bins or for larger quantities, taken to any of our recycling centres.

“I apologise for any inconvenience caused during this year’s clean-up campaign and thank everyone in advance for their patience while we again carry out this time-consuming and expensive task.” 

Penalties for those caught dropping litter range from £80, while the Illegal dumping of waste carries a fixed penalty notice of £500, as well as the potential for criminal charges and even a prison sentence for the worst offenders.