Abandoned supermarket trollies on the Oak Tree Estate, Mansfield, are disappearing from the landscape thanks to the determined efforts of Mansfield District Council’s Neighbourhood Warden Michelle Barber.

When Michelle started working on the estate in February 2014, she came across up to 50 abandoned trolleys a week. Today, that number has decreased to around 10 a week and the signs are that her education campaign is continuing to hit home with residents.

Michelle, who covers Oak Tree, Racecourse and Ling Forest, talks regularly to local people about the problems and possible consequences if people fail to return their trolleys to the supermarket.

She also works closely with local stores and Trolleywise – a nationwide trolley retrieval service – to ensure that abandoned trolleys are removed from the area.

Michelle said: “People leave trolleys in all sorts of places – on the heath, outside the local primary school, behind properties, in gardens and in the middle of footpaths. They are a blight on the area and sometimes pose a danger to pedestrians, children and wildlife.”

Anyone found with a supermarket trolley on their property for the first time is given an informal warning. However, if they repeat the offence, they receive a letter from the council asking them to return the trolley immediately. Failure to comply with this request could result in legal action against the resident, who may also find themselves liable for the council’s legal costs.

Executive Mayor at Mansfield District Council, Kate Allsop said: “Abandoned trolleys are a problem across the district. They are not only an eyesore, but can also be a danger to pedestrians, vehicles and wildlife. I urge shoppers not to take their trolleys beyond supermarket car parks and to carry their shopping in a reusable bag, or to purchase a wheeled shopping bag.”

If you wish to report an abandoned trolley in your area, contact the relevant local supermarket. If you live on the Oak Tree Estate, you can also contact Neighbourhood Warden Michelle Barber on 07814486375.