Littering in Saundersfoot is increasing, prompting local councillors and volunteers to take ongoing action, to clean up the area, highlighting the concerning growing issue of discarded waste from vehicles.

County councillor for the seaside village’s south ward, Cllr Chris Williams said that he was recently invited to attend a litter pick, with Saundersfoot Rotary members, and both the Wombles and Ecoast volunteers, who he says deserve considerable credit for their ongoing dedication to keeping the village clean.

“Their sustained efforts are clearly making a positive difference. However, it is equally evident that the volume of litter is increasing,” he stated.

One recent Sunday morning, Cllr Williams said that he joined in with a section of the litter-pick, starting along Fan Road and the surrounding routes, forming a loop back into the village.

“The experience was both productive and deeply concerning. In a relatively small area, covering Ridgeway, Fan Road, Pentlepoir Junction, down to St Issell’s Church, and returning via Church Terrace, we collected eight full sacks of rubbish!” he explained.

“The majority comprised food and drink waste, glass bottles, vape units, takeaway containers, and fast-food packaging. While it is rewarding to leave these areas cleaner, it is extremely disappointing to see such high levels of littering, particularly from passing vehicles.

“A growing and very noticeable trend is the deliberate discarding of rubbish from cars along this stretch. It is difficult to understand how some drivers and passengers can prioritise the interior of their vehicle over the countryside they are passing through.

“This behaviour is not only irresponsible, it is unacceptable.

“In total, we collected an astonishing 27 kilos of waste. This is not accidental litter, it is rubbish being intentionally thrown from vehicles, food packaging, alcoholic tins, vape units, and takeaway waste, repeatedly, on the same roads, week after week.

“Within 24 hours of clearing the area, more litter had already been discarded.

“There is no excuse for this behaviour. Choosing to throw rubbish from a car window is a conscious decision to damage the very place we all live in and depend upon. It demonstrates a complete disregard for the countryside, the community, and the volunteers who generously give their time to clean up after others,” continued Cllr Wiliams.

Other volunteer groups also worked diligently across the village. Their efforts resulted in a further 25.3 kilos of waste collected. Cigarette litter alone exceeded 100 items before counting was even completed.

A beach clean also took place from Coppet Hall to the back beach behind Saundersfoot Harbour, which alone resulted in 19.6 kilos of waste collected.

Cllr Williams added: “In total, nearly 50 individuals gave their time to support the community, collecting an impressive 71.9 kilos of litter over the course of the day.

“It was a fantastic day for the village, but it should not be necessary to repeat this work at such a scale. Those who continue to throw litter from vehicles must understand the impact of their actions. This is our community, and it deserves better.”