Litter problems worse than ever just one week after Newark KFC reopened its drive-thru says Newark and Sherwood District Councillor

A councillor says the town’s litter problem is worse than ever, just one week after a popular fast food chain reopened its drive-through.

Mrs Gill Dawn said she was disappointed to see litter increase just hours after KFC, off Lincoln Road, reopened and, one week on, the Bridge ward councillor said it was worse than before.

Mrs Dawn said she had been approached by residents who shared her frustration.

On Twitter one resident from the area said: “They not only kill animals but attract them too.

“I am absolutely disgusted in the way people think they can just chuck it out their car windows and make it someone else’s problem.”

Another said: “It’s not just KFC, it’s litter in general.”

Mrs Dawn said: “The first day it re-opened the traffic went out of its carpark, through the traffic lights and onto Lincoln Road and as far as Gainsborough Drive, which caused horrendous problems.

“And, within a couple of hours, the litter became very apparent.

“I don’t know why it was, but it seemed as if people had to eat the food immediately and get rid of the litter.

“I have already requested two litter picks (to Newark and Sherwood District Council) because it is very distressing for residents who have found litter stuffed in their hedges and thrown into their gardens.”

She said the district council planned to work with the fast food chain to resolve the issue.

“I have noticed it myself most when walking on Lincoln Road playing fields because it is there again now, and that was a usual thing, but we are not only back to normal, but the litter problem is worse than ever,” said Mrs Dawn.

The issue has been highlighted nationally after an image of a takeaway box drew in more than 40,000 reactions on Twitter.