Children’s toys, bikes and scooters, as well as Christmas decorations, were amongst an estimated 955 bags of litter collected by our volunteers on cycle routes in County Durham, Gateshead and Newcastle during 2018.

Volunteer groups meet each week to pick litter and help maintain traffic-free sections of the National Cycle Network, including parts of the Sea to Sea, a 140-mile long-distance cycle challenge route that attracts around 15,000 people every year.

Paths include the 17-mile Consett to Washington former railway path and sections of the A1 cycle route.

Bob Sorley, our volunteer on the Consett to Beamish section of path said:

“We’re a friendly group who meet every week to pick up litter. It’s surprising what people throw away sometimes. We’re always looking for new volunteers so if you’d like to find out more please get in touch.”

Carol Attewell, our Volunteer on the Beamish to Washington stretch of the C2C said:

“We do our best to maintain the C2C path as a wonderful urban greenway for the community. It’s such a pity that a few people spoil it with litter.”

Our volunteers look after various sections of the National Cycle Network in County Durham, Gateshead and Newcastle. Find out more about volunteering with Sustrans at www.sustrans.org.uk/volunteer