MOTORISTS caught littering from their vehicles in the Forest will now be issued with penalty notices by district council street wardens.

Vehicle owners will be issued with £50 penalty notices if someone is caught dropping litter from their vehicle, even if it wasn’t them who dropped it.

The council says this is in line with national regulations, which gives local councils the ability to issue a notice to the registered owner “if it can be proved” that litter has been dumped from their vehicle.

The penalty stays at £50 if paid within 28 days, but will rise to £75 afterwards.

Forest of Dean District Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Sid Phelps, said: “It is always such a disappointment to see how much litter is dropped from vehicles along the roads in our district, especially considering it is such an avoidable and anti-social thing to do.

“Hopefully the introduction of these penalties will help to deter people from continuing to litter and ruin the roadsides for other residents and for our wildlife.

“If our wardens witness an offence, a notice will be automatically issued.

“They will also consider taking action from formal complaints from the public, especially if dash cam footage can be provided.”