From our historic town hall to our award-winning parks and green spaces, Barnsley is a beautiful place to live and visit.
It’s no surprise that we’re expected to rival York for footfall! Nearly everyone I speak to as a local MP shares my pride in the beauty of our borough.
Barnsley folk are a proud bunch and we have a lot to be proud about.
January is the ideal time to recommit to keeping Barnsley looking beautiful. A new year gives us the perfect opportunity to think about tidying up and looking after the places we cherish.
But let’s be honest: some people don’t seem to share that pride. I’m talking about litter louts and fly-tippers - the selfish minority who think it’s fine to chuck rubbish wherever they like.
Crisp packets on pavements, cans in hedgerows, takeaway boxes tossed from car windows. It’s lazy, it’s ugly and it’s completely unacceptable.
Litter isn’t just an eyesore. It attracts vermin, pollutes our environment, and damages the sense of pride that most of us rightly have in our town.
Thankfully, these people are in the minority. Most people care deeply about Barnsley and want to keep it looking its best.
On my weekly litter-picks and when I’m out and about, I meet many hard-working volunteers across the borough who are dedicated to this week in, week out. Their commitment is inspiring and it shows what can be achieved when people care.
On a recent school visit, I was pleased to hear the head agree that pupils should be good neighbours and take responsibility for responsibly disposing of their rubbish when they walk to and from school. That’s the right attitude, and it’s one we should all share.
But let’s be clear: this isn’t just about kids, it’s about everyone doing their bit.
If you’re part of the majority that does care, thank you. Last year, volunteers and council staff collected thousands of bags of rubbish across Barnsley. That’s a fantastic effort - but we shouldn’t have to keep cleaning up after the same selfish few.
So here’s an early message for 2026: if you drop litter, stop. If you throw rubbish from your car, stop. There’s no excuse. Use a bin or take it home. It really is that simple.
Barnsley is a brilliant place to live. Let’s keep it that way. If you want to help, join a local litter-pick - the council provides all the kit, and you’ll be amazed at the difference a couple of hours can make.
Together, we can make sure a minority doesn’t spoil it for the majority. Let’s keep Barnsley looking beautiful.
