West Lindsey District Council make £200,000 for collecting abandoned trolleys

A scheme launched by West Lindsey District Council, charging supermarkets for the recovery of abandoned shopping trolleys, has amassed over £200,000 in the past five years.

Despite its financial success, the scheme has drawn criticism from the newly-elected council leader, Councillor Trevor Young, who questioned its effectiveness.

The scheme, initiated in 2018 in response to a surge in abandoned trolleys in Gainsborough, invoices supermarkets for unclaimed trolleys after a six-week period.

Council documents, due to be presented to the WLDC’s regulatory committee next Thursday, reveal that the scheme has collected 2,759 trolleys and raised £205,530.

“There are still numerous trolleys around on a daily basis and it proves that actually the current policy has just not worked,” said Councillor Young.

He suggested a more rigorous approach with supermarkets is necessary, expressing concern that the council may perceive the scheme more as an income source rather than a preventative measure.

“People continue to remove trolleys from the sites daily, abandoning them everywhere,” he added.

Despite his criticisms, Councillor Young commended the council’s street cleansing team for their “excellent job” in collecting the trolleys.

However, he expressed disappointment with the scheme’s results and hinted at the need for a different approach.

“I would be happy if the scheme collected no money because it would show that the scheme’s working.

“The fact we are receiving money reinforces that this isn’t a deterrent at all,” he said.

Looking forward, the council plans to launch a consultation on Friday, June 23.

The consultation aims to determine whether abandoned shopping trolleys remain a concern within Gainsborough, whether the scheme should continue, and if the charging schedule is still appropriate.

The consultation will run until Friday, July 21, with the results considered in August.