More than 400 abandoned shopping trolleys have been removed from Newport’s streets since the city council introduced new enforcement powers earlier this year.
Newport City Council’s abandoned trolley policy came into force at the end of February and has already led to the removal of 424 trolleys from public land between March and May.
The policy gives the council enhanced powers to tackle the issue, including the ability to seize and remove abandoned trolleys, store them for up to six weeks, issue formal notices to identified owners and dispose of or recycle unclaimed trolleys after the storage period has ended.
The council can also recover costs from retailers linked to abandoned trolleys, applying a standard charge of £100 per trolley to the retailer identified as the most likely owner.
Council officers say abandoned trolleys are more than just an eyesore, often becoming associated with anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and vandalism.
In several cases, fly-tipped waste has been found dumped inside abandoned trolleys, while some have also been deliberately set on fire.
The council believes the new policy has not only helped speed up the removal of trolleys but has also provided valuable intelligence on areas most affected by the problem.
Work is also taking place with local supermarkets to explore measures that could help reduce the number of trolleys being removed from stores and abandoned across the city.
“I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made since formally adopting the extra powers,” said Councillor Yvonne Forsey, cabinet member for climate change, waste and recycling.
“Being able to take over 400 trolleys off our streets, quickly, is a great result for us, and it’s exactly why we brought in the new policy in the first place.
“I’m also pleased that we’ve been able to build up a better picture of where the hotspots for trolley dumping are, so that we can focus our resources on these areas.”
Residents can report abandoned shopping trolleys through the council’s website, via the My Newport app or by contacting the council’s customer contact centre.
Trolleys identified during routine patrols by council officers are also logged and collected where appropriate.
The council says it will continue monitoring trolley dumping hotspots and working with retailers to help prevent further problems across the city.
