Gum littering campaign being carried out across Pendle
Published Monday, 14th July 2025
Pendle Borough Council is again tackling the problem of chewing gum embedded on the borough’s streets.
Staff from the Council’s Operational Services team will concentrate on Brierfield, Nelson and Colne town centres, carrying out a deep clean of targeted areas and then erecting signage on nearby litter bins and railings as a constant reminder for people to bin their gum.
Councillor David Whipp, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “Chewing gum litter is highly visible on our streets and is both difficult and expensive to clean up.
“However, once the gum has been cleaned up, it is vital to remind people that when it comes to litter, whether it’s gum or anything else, there is only one place it should be – in the bin!”
Pendle Borough Council was previously awarded £25,000 from Keep Britain Tidy to buy equipment to carry out the work and provide preventative signage.
David Walker, Pendle Borough Council's Assistant Director of Operational Services, said: “Last summer the equipment allowed us to clean the areas surrounding the train station, bus station and taxi rank in Nelson and the bus station in Colne.
“These areas were monitored after cleaning, and it was found gum littering had reduced.
“But we need to keep on top of the situation – and keep repeating the messages – and that is why we will be out on the streets again with the gum busting equipment in a bid to keep Pendle tidy.”
The targeted areas will be:
Nelson Town Centre - Manchester Road around Pendle Rise and the shops
Nelson - Bus Station and Train Station
Nelson – Scotland Road (route from town centre to Nelson & Colne College)
Nelson - Fleet Street (from Charles Street to Bradley Road)
Colne Town Centre - Market Street and Albert Road
Colne - Burnley Road
Brierfield Town Centre – Colne Road
Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing and Customer Services, added: “We need to change the behaviour of people who are disposing of their gum irresponsibly.
“We are hoping to do this with the continual reminders, signage and education running alongside the clean-up operations, in a bid to stop the problem from arising in the first place.”