Also collected was a variety of items which are widely accepted at the council’s Household Waste Recycling centres including a toilet, ironing boards, paint tins and, worryingly, potentially dangerous items such as oil drums, gas canisters and tyres. 

Despite challenging weather conditions, teams spent six days in total clearing the 300+ bags and numerous van loads of illegally dumped litter and waste from Muttonhole Road, Blantyre Farm Road, Sydes Brae, Carscallan Road and Newhousemill Road. 

The cost to the council of carrying out the clean-up, including putting in place temporary road restrictions, and disposing of the rubbish, was almost £8000, which according to Cllr John Anderson, Chair of the Community and Enterprise Resources committee could have been better spent. 

He added: “It makes me so angry to see the results of this week of work, carried out in the harshest of weathers. Every penny and hour spent doing this is money and time lost to the council and its communities, all because a minority don’t think the rules apply to them. 

“Ensuring that South Lanarkshire is a place we can all be proud to call home is a collective responsibility and one which I’m pleased to say, most of us take seriously. There is simply no excuse for this type of selfish and irresponsible behaviour which blights our environment and requires thousands of pounds of council funds to clear up.

“I want to say sorry to all of those who were inconvenienced by the restrictions caused during the clean-up and thank them for their patience for what should be an unnecessary task.” 

The council recently launched its new anti-litter campaign urging people not to be an ‘eejit’ when it comes to dumping their rubbish. As the campaign rolls out, increased focus will be on education and enforcement, reminding litter louts, and those who would dump waste illegally, that their actions could lead to substantial fines and even criminal proceedings. 

Concluded Councillor Anderson: “More than ever, throughout the last year, we have all spent more time in our local communities, making the most of what our own doorsteps have to offer. It’s not right or fair that these should be ruined for us by those few who care little about those spaces, or the people they share them with. 

“Our campaign aims to put this simple message back on the agenda while highlighting the consequences for choosing to ignore it.” 

Penalties for those caught dropping litter in public range from £80, while the Illegal dumping of waste carries fines from £200, as well as the potential for criminal charges and even a prison sentence for the worst offenders. 

A further programme of litter clean ups is planned across the council area during March; full details will be publicised in advance.