Calls are being made for more bins to be provided at a popular Nottingham beauty spot as picnickers flock to the area during lockdown.
There are at least 15 bins along the Victoria Embankment, from the Wilford Toll Bridge to Trent Bridge, with many of them set back on the path away from the banks of the River Trent.
But concerns have been raised that hot May weather and more people travelling to the area to relax during lockdown has caused a spike in littering in the area.
Residents hope more bins closer to the green spaces where people sit would solve the issue, as well as more patrols to clamp down with fines handed out if litter louts are caught.
And people are being urged to take rubbish home with them as the city council looks at if extra temporary bins could be provided.
Harinder Singh, 44, of The Meadows, said: "It's a shame people feel the need to litter here. I've seen stuff blow into the Trent before.
"There are bins but they're set back off the main path so people might not always see them. It would be good to get some more along the river walk.
"It would also be sensible to have people patrolling the area on busy days which would help keep things in check.
"It's a society issue that seems to have gotten more noticeable recently in terms of people littering. It's gross."
Sharon Grainger, 39, of the city centre, regularly runs along the Embankment and said: "It's definitely been busier with people coming here during lockdown to enjoy the hot weather.
"Lots have brought picnics and I have seen litter left where it might be cans of beer, bottles of pop, crisp packets. It's a real shame to be honest.
"I'd always think more bins would help with this."
Nottingham City Council portfolio holder for communities, Councillor Rebecca Langton, said: “There are bins available along the Embankment which, in normal times, are sufficient to meet the need. We love that people are enjoying our open spaces more at the moment, but we need them to take some responsibility for keeping them clean too.
"If you are going to a park for a picnic and the bins are full, please take your rubbish home with you. If you carried it onto the park, you can just as easily carry it home from the park.
“Many of us have been out on our doorsteps clapping for key workers who have kept turning up to work throughout these difficult weeks to keep our city going. This includes the teams emptying our bins, who are already stretched.
"Let's make sure our actions go beyond clapping for key workers to respecting them and not contributing to making their jobs harder than they need to be.
“Our crews clear the mess away when this happens, and we’re looking at if and where extra temporary bins could be provided.
"But this is everyone’s city, these are everyone’s parks – we all need to take some responsibility and show some pride.”
