MOTORISTS using South Mimms services are being given special bags throughout this week to encourage them to take their rubbish home with them.

The move is part of the Highways Agency’s Bag It! Bin It! campaign which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of throwing food wrappers and other rubbish from moving vehicles.

The bags, which bear the Bag It! Bin It! slogan, can be collected from the Highways Agency’s depot at South Mimms until the end of this week.

Janice Burgess, Highways Agency area service manager for the M25, said: “Litter is unsightly, it’s bad for the environment and can block drains and lead to localised flooding.

“We collect around 700,000 bagfuls of rubbish from our motorways and major A roads every year.

“In 2008, abandoned litter on the M25 filled 45,000 bags.

“As part of Bag it! Bin it!, we’re asking drivers carry a litter bag in their vehicle to collect their rubbish until it can be binned safely, either when they break their journey or get to their destination.”

She added: “Items thrown from vehicles can be a hazard to other road users and picking up rubbish also puts road workers at risk of injury and diverts resources away from road maintenance and repairs.”