Great Yarmouth smoking zones in bid to limit litter

Yellow tape, new cigarette bins and smoking signs on the floor were installed on Thursday, close to Market Gates Shopping Centre and the bus station near Regent Road.

It is believed the designated zones are part of a three-week trial between Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Keep Britain Tidy to encourage smokers to discard their used cigarette butts in the bins provided to help tackle littering in the town.

One of the designated smoking zones in Great Yarmouth town centre. This one is between Boots and two chip stalls. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

When asked about the new smoking zones, people on the street had mixed opinions on the scheme, which does not ban smoking elsewhere.

Holidaymaker Belinda Jones was sat by the new zone by the market.

She said: "There's no harm in people using them. In terms of the environment, I think it's a good idea.

"But there should probably be more about if they want to stop people littering. One or two isn't going to do much."

Holidaymakers Belinda Jones and Michell Monaghan, from Oxford, think the bins are a good idea to reduce litter. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Ms Jones' sister Michell Monaghan - who is a smoker - said she thinks the designated zones might be seen as segregation.

"In terms of reducing litter and all that, it's a good idea," she said.

"But why not just have the bins about? Why does there have to be this segregated smoking zone? 

"I mean, if I have to sit here to smoke, I wouldn't want a non-smoker sat here."

The other designated smoking zone is close to Great Yarmouth bus station. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Jack Parks used the new bin in the market square to dispose of his cigarette butt.

He said there should be more cigarette bins around.

"It's a good thing," he said. "It's the first time I've used it. And it stops fag butts being laid everywhere. 

"To be fair, smokers will use it if they’re walking past. There should be more about as I don't think people will go out of their way to use it.

"It has to be convenient."

The new cigarette bins inside the smoking zones are labelled Keep Britain Tidy and Great Yarmouth Borough Council. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Karwam Mohmmed was smoking outside Market Gates Shopping Centre - a popular place for people to smoke - and he thinks stricter rules are needed to stop people throwing butts on the ground.

"I never put my cigarettes on the floor," he said.

"It's not hard to do. The bins are a good idea, and there should be more.

"If people don't use them, they should be charged. If people get fined, it will soon become a habit for them to use the bins."

David Stringer and Kay Sargent did not spot the new smoking zone close to McDonald's. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

David Stringer and Kay Sargent were having a cigarette outside McDonald's. They were unaware of the new smoking zone less than 15m away from the restaurant entrance.

"I didn't even see it," Ms Sargent said.

"I don't think a lot of people will take to it. There are so many smokers about, and the last thing they'll do is congregate inside a designated area."

Mr Stringer said he thought the designated zones are a waste of money.

"They aren't going to do much," he said.

"If you were a common smoker, do you think people will congregate there? It'd be like sardines in a can.

"The council could put that money to better use."

The town square smoking zone is a short distance from two chip stalls. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Gary Sharpin, the new owner of Carr's Chip Stall, said the bins are a good idea, but one should be closer to the entrance of Market Gates Shopping Centre.

"I wonder if having a designated area right by food stalls is the best idea," Mr Sharpin said.

"It's a good idea, but I think they should be strategically placed. The one in the square is also near where the two-day traders set up as well.

"There should be more dotted around town, not just one or two places. There should be more outside the major shops and shopping centres."

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has been contacted for a comment.

Smoking Zones

The environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has rolled out designated smoking zones in other places across England.

Information released by the charity states that "70pc of places are affected by smoking-related litter". The smoking zones developed by the charity are designed to encourage smokers to dispose of their cigarette butts responsibly, with "specialist facilities".

The zones are said to help reduce cleansing costs and create a cleaner environment.

The zones are priced from £3,495 + VAT. Included in the price is a visit from Keep Britain Tidy’s team to assess the placement of the Smoking Zones, a behavioural observations audit, a formal report with recommendations, a full guidance package and advice from Keep Britain Tidy, four yellow Ashguard bins, supplied exclusively to Keep Britain Tidy, branded to meet your requirements, floor signage stickers to nudge smokers and pre- and post-installation monitoring. 

The Smoking Zones are said to have reduced cigarette litter by up to 89pc.

For more information, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org/local-authorities/reduce-litter/smoking-related-litter/smoking-zones