WILMSLOW’S Clean Team is taking borough chiefs to task after discovering a litter-strewn section of the A34 has not been cleaned for more than a year.

Volunteers from the group have challenged Ansa, Cheshire East Council’s waste management arm, to clear the bypass of rubbish and fly-tipping between Dean Row and Handforth Dean.

Having been told by Ansa that CEC’s highways department must close the road before any tidying can take place, Christopher K. Evans, a volunteer from the Wilmslow Clean Team, asked when this had last taken place.

Caroline Griffies, senior team leader at Ansa, told Mr Evans that the road had not been cleared once in 2016.

She added that she was unsure when the bypass had last been cleared of litter, but that work to clean the road was next scheduled to take place in June 2017.

Mr Evans told the Guardian: “We have been told by CEC that we shouldn’t tidy it ourselves, the council needs to close the road otherwise it would be too dangerous.

“But we need CEC to step up to its responsibilities, and take control of the situation.

“The worst area is between the Summerfields roundabout up to Handforth Dean.

“Litter has been thrown out by passing motorists, and there is even a mattress which has been dumped.

“The council should look into the problem at least once a year, to set some time aside and get rid of the litter."

After being contacted by the Guardian, a spokesman at CEC said that the council would now look to address the problem in February.

“We wish to see the borough as a clean and pleasant place for our residents, but sadly littering and fly-tipping are anti-social practices that plague all councils and residents in the country,” the spokesman said.

“The A34 bypass between Alderley Edge and Handforth is one of the busiest roads in the borough and carries a large volume of through traffic.

“Litter clearing takes place to coincide with highways improvement works for safety reasons.

“However, we will endeavour, within the next few weeks, to put in place an alternative method of cleansing to address the present situation.

“The council would appeal to everyone, including motorists, to respect the environment and to take their litter home or place it in an appropriate bin.”