Bin your gum!
Published Tuesday, 4th August 2026
Pendle Borough Council has been awarded almost £26,000 to tackle the problem of chewing gum embedded on the borough’s streets.
The funding from Keep Britain Tidy’s Chewing Gum Task Force will enable the Council’s Operational Services team to remove gum from public places and install targeted signage to encourage people to bin their gum.
Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “Chewing gum staining is a persistent issue across the borough, particularly in high-footfall areas and is both difficult and expensive to clean up, so this support from The Chewing Gum Task Force is very welcome.
“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, and that’s in the bin!”
The cleansing will take place in selected heavily used pedestrian locations, including schools, colleges, retail and commercial areas in Nelson, Colne, Barrowford, Barnoldswick and Earby.
The work has started and will take place over 10 weeks throughout the summer while schools and colleges are closed.
Areas to be targeted will include Scotland Road, Nelson; Scotland Road in Barrowford at Nelson and Colne College; Cuerden Street, Colne; Oxford Road, Nelson around Pendle Vale College; Keighley Road and Oak Street, Colne; Gisburn Road and Church Street, Barrowford; Nelson Bus Station, town centre and Hill Place; Market Street, Colne; Barnoldswick Town Square and Victoria Road, Earby.
On completion of the cleansing, the areas will be monitored to see if the signage has been effective and encouraged people to bin their gum rather than throw it on the floor.
Councillor Zafar Ali, the Council’s Operational Portfolio Holder, added: “Chewing gum staining is evident and negatively impacting numerous locations across the borough, detracting from the cleanliness and overall appearance of public spaces.
Environmentally, gum staining contributes to long-term surface pollution, damaging paving and increasing the need for specialist cleaning methods, therefore placing additional pressure on existing cleansing services.
“We need to change the behaviour of people who are disposing of their gum irresponsibly and remind them to bin it!”