Biodegradable chewing gum is an idea that should stick - Mike Tuffrey

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Mar 2009

Mike Tuffrey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and the group's environment spokesperson, has warmly welcomed the introduction of the world's first biodegradable chewing gum.

Mike Tuffrey said:

"For too long London has been slowly losing the battle to clean its streets up from discarded chewing gum. Chewing gum that it is irresponsibility spat on to the street is a nuisance, an eyesore and is costing taxpayers millions each year to clean up.

"Over four years ago I undertook a study of London boroughs and transport organisations which revealed that over £4 million each year was being spent on attempting to tackle discarded chewing gum that litters London's pavements, street furniture and public transport.

"Biodegradable chewing gum is not the only solution to this problem, but it is an encouraging start. If backed up with other policies we could start to see much cleaner pavements across the whole of London."

ENDS

Mike Tuffrey's report into the impact of discarded chewing gum across London can be accessed at:

http://www.gla.libdems.org.uk/resources/sites/217.160.173.25-3e54d44dcb2780.65885247/Environment%20matters/Getting+to+grips+with+gum.pdf