"I was horrified": Calls for action after bags with human faeces and bottles with urine found near Derbyshire primary school just outside Chesterfield

Volunteers who took part in a litter pick in Heath this month were horrified after they found bottles of urine and bags of human faeces at the layby of the A6175.

Marie Moore, a Heath resident and one of the litter pick participants, said: “When I went on a similar litter pick in Heath a year ago, I was shocked by the amount of bottles of urine, but this time, I was even more horrified to find bags with human faeces thrown in the in the bushes.

"I drive up that road frequently, and the amount of litter and visible bottles of urine is very unpleasant.

"What worries me even more is a very close proximity to a primary school. Children who walk to school can come across all this discarded human waste. It is a health hazard.”

Marie said that the bottles of urine, reportedly discarded by lorry drivers, have been an issue in the area for years but nothing has been done to tackle the problem.

Lee Brassington, who launched Chesterfield Litter Pickers, and is well-known in the area for his litter picking efforts, said that discarded urine bottles known as ‘driver tizer’ were a significant issue across the UK.

He said: “The A6175 is bad as there is an overnight lorry park on the industrial estate.

"But it's a massive problem all over the UK. A few months ago I collected 500 bottles during a 24 hour litter pick.”

The had been reported to Heath and Holmewood Parish Council and in May 2025 the council issued a statement in response to concerns raised.

The statement reads: “The parish council are aware of littering by HGV drivers, specifically the concerning reports of bottles containing urine being discarded on the A6175.

"While this matter does not fall under the direct responsibility of the Parish Council, we do share the community's concern regarding the escalating nature of this problem.

"I will advise members on the potential implications of addressing this issue, including the cost and feasibility of providing skips for drivers to use.

"However, as this would involve significant financial considerations, further investigation will be required.

"In the meantime, I'm happy to reach out to the Junction 29 truck stop to highlight this issue and request their assistance in managing and mitigating this behaviour. I'm hopeful that partnership working can lead to practical solutions.”

But Marie said she felt that not much has changed since May.

She explained: “Nothing has changed far as I am aware of. I felt that the response from the council was a bit defeatist.

"We have got to start somewhere or we are not going to resolve the problem, even if it can make a small difference at first.”

The Parish Council have confirmed that the authority took a number of steps to try to improve the situation but was limited by their limited legal powers and resources.

A spokesperson for Heath and Holmewood Parish Council said: “The Parish Council wants to be clear about the limits of its role and the significant action it already takes.

"The parish invests approximately £30,000 each year in litter collection, removing around 2,000 bags of litter and discarded items annually.

"However, parish councils have no legal powers or resources to police roads or prosecute those who litter from vehicles.

"Responsibility for litter picking on the highway sits with North East Derbyshire District Council as the statutory litter authority.

"Despite this, the Parish Council has agreed to take further action by creating and sharing “Stop Littering – Keep the A6175 Clean” posters with local businesses and the Onroute truck stop junction 29, making it absolutely clear that littering is unacceptable.

"While the Parish Council will continue to work with partner organisations and volunteer groups to mitigate the impact, responsibility for this problem lies with those who choose to litter, and drivers and operators are expected to dispose of waste responsibly and respect the community they pass through.” North East Derbyshire District Council have confirmed that the authority’s Environmental Health Enforcement Officers responded to reports of littering in the area and carried out a proactive patrol along Heath Road following a recent complaint.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Although no evidence was found at the time of the visit, this reflects the intermittent nature of this behaviour rather than the absence of a wider issue.

“Our Street Scene team regularly services the area to mitigate the impact on the local environment, with bins in Heath village emptied regularly and officers often picking up bottles and other litter along Heath Road as part of routine rounds.

“We are also aware that local Safer Neighbourhood Team officers have previously been involved in warning and taking action against vehicles parking illegally in the area.

“Where there is clear evidence of littering or illegal dumping, including items such as bottles of urine or human waste, the council can take enforcement action, including issuing Fixed Penalty Notices.

"This relies on clear evidence or eyewitness reports, which are essential to enable formal action to be taken.

“We recognise that this is an ongoing issue and will continue to work with partner organisations, including the parish council and other relevant agencies, as part of the council’s ongoing responsibility for litter enforcement in the area.

"This includes monitoring the situation and considering what further practical and proportionate steps may be appropriate to help deter this behaviour.

“We would encourage anyone who witnesses littering or fly-tipping to report it to the council via our website, as timely reports from the public help provide the evidence needed to target enforcement action more effectively.”

The Junction 29 truck stop was approached for a comment.