COUNTRYSIDE campaigners have welcomed news that motorists will be fined for throwing litter from vehicles.

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill had its third reading in the House of Lords on Tuesday (27 January).

Lord Taylor of Holbeach said the new powers were intended to make life easier for local authorities in the fight against littering.

"The house is united in its displeasure at seeing litter along our roadsides, and at the thoughtless and uncaring behaviour of those inconsiderate individuals who left it there."

The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England said it welcomed the recognition that local councils needed additional powers to deal with litter thrown from vehicles.

New regulations will now be introduced before next year's General Election to allow councils in England to issue a civil penalty to the keeper of a vehicle when litter is thrown from it.

This announcement follows six years of campaigning by CPRE, which said it had worked with local authorities to help the government understand the importance of this new measure.

Currently councils have to prove who threw litter from the vehicle, which is often impossible.

From next year, local authorities will be able to issue a civil penalty to the registered owner, bringing littering in line with other offences such as parking infringements.

In effect, councils will have both criminal and civil penalties available to them to prevent littering.

"CPRE is delighted with the news and hopes it will help to further reduce England's litter problem," said a statement from the charity.