‘Litter in my area worse than when I lived in 1980s riot zone’

Resident says college students 'mostly to blame' for worst litter he has seen in his life

Sam Greenway - Local Democracy Reporter | Monday 17th February 2025 9:17pm

An angry resident said litter in his Midland neighbourhood was worse than when he lived  in a riot-torn part of London in the 1980s.

Volunteer litter picker Graham Frost said families were moving out of Smith’s Wood in Solihull due to rubbish blighting their doorsteps.

He partly blamed college students for issues in the area as he made a passionate plea to Solihull councillors for action to be taken. 

In a formal deputation to Solihull councillors, Mr Frost said he moved to Auckland Drive five years ago. 

“It became apparent to me after about six months I had never lived anywhere with quite so much litter in my life, and I lived in Brixton in the 1980s during the riots.

“After a few months I thought: ‘I need to do something about this’.

“I became a volunteer litter picker – people come up to you and thank you for doing it because it is community-spirited. 

“Having said that we really shouldn’t have to do it.

“It wasn’t necessary 20 years ago, why is it necessary now?

“Most of the litter is caused by the students at Solihull College’s Woodlands Campus.

“We have had a few meetings with people at Solihull College and unfortunately nothing has really changed.

“It’s got to the point residents are moving away partly because of the litter problem. They are fed-up of having to go outside their houses and pick up litter.

“The other week it was a Saturday morning, absolutely freezing cold, I was out on Auckland Drive picking up litter. 

“I wonder how much longer I have  to be doing this for.”

Mr Frost said flytipping was also an issue and Solihull Council could easily prosecute “four or five people a week”.

Coun Ken Hawkins, the cabinet portfolio holder for environment and infrastructure, told him: “I commend you for being a litter picker – I sort of agree with you we don’t really want them (to have to do it) but they do fantastic work.

“It is a shame litter and fly tipping is mostly caused by local people and the college added to that. 

“Our street care team have put a lot of resources into that area, into clearing up.”

He added a new pilot for a scheme targeting hotspot areas including Smith’s Wood was being worked on by officers and partners and councillors would soon be briefed.  

A Solihull College spokesperson said it had been working closely with partners including the council, police and residents “to support the wider issue of litter in the area” adding it had also funded smart bins “to support these continued efforts”.

“The college has been proactive in litter picking around the campus, and on February 25 Solihull’s mayor will be carrying out a litter pick alongside students,” the spokesperson added.

The deputation took place at the latest full council meeting on February 4.

More News Headlines