Picture showing three street cleansing vehicles

Street cleaning

Island Roads is responsible for all street cleansing services including emptying litter bins, emptying dog bins and clearing dog fouling.

Island Roads is responsible for ensuring that public highway is kept free of litter in accordance with the Government’s national Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse. You can view the Code on DEFRAs website. The code states that what is important is maintaining the cleanliness of an area, rather than how often it is cleansed.

How often are the roads and footways cleaned?

All adopted highway on the Island has been zoned based on factors such as housing density, traffic use, public usage and the presence of retail premises. A cleansing frequency is then applied to each zone. For example, a residential street will be cleansed less frequently than a main shopping street. Cleansing frequencies range from twice a day in main town centre areas to twice a year and, in some areas, are increased in the summer period.

Is dog mess a health hazard?

Both dog and cat faeces can contain the eggs of the roundworm Toxocara. These eggs can survive in the soil for several years. If they are ingested or inhaled by humans they may cause eye, liver, brain and respiratory problems such as asthma, hepatitis and epilepsy. Children playing in fouled recreation areas are most at risk. Dog waste is also a potential health risk to farmers’ livestock if dogs are allowed to foul in their fields.

When will the litter bin or dog bin be emptied?

Bins are emptied at different frequencies according to a complex schedule. To find out about a specific bin, call our helpdesk on 01983 822440 or complete an online form requesting this information.