PSPO - Trolley restrictions

What is the Trolley Public Spaces Protection Order?

Every three years the council's citywide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is reviewed, in 2021 several new PSPO restrictions were introduced, including the removal of  shopping trolleys from designated areas in Washington only. From 2024 several new retail areas across the city have been made subject to this restriction. The inclusion of these additional premises followed an increase in complaints from residents and businesses over the visual and environmental impact of abandoned trolleys in residential areas and green spaces. PSPO's can be used by local authorities to tackle a wide range of anti-social behaviour issues and issues that impact upon the local environment. 

Why are trolleys a problem?

Trolleys are regularly being abandoned in hazardous ways, such as being left on the roadside, cycle paths, children's play areas and gardens. Trolleys also often end up dumped in our woodland and green spaces, having a detrimental impact on nature and our local wildlife. Abandoned shopping trolleys are an unsightly nuisance which Sunderland City Council has the power to enforce against.

If you are witnessed removing a shopping trolley from a designated area in Sunderland you will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100, or if the case goes to court a fine of up to £1,000 on prosecution. It is not a defence to tell officers you intended to return a trolley.

It is currently an offence to remove a shopping trolley from the following designated areas:

• Galleries Retail Park, Washington
• Peel Retail Park, Washington
• Tesco and Sunderland Retail Park, Newcastle Road, Roker
• Asda, Leechmere Road Industrial Estate, Grangetown
• LIDL, Roker Avenue, Roker
• Morrison's, Whitburn Road, Seaburn

All these shopping areas are now subjetc to a Public Spaces Protection Order, which prohibits anyone from removing a shopping trolley from theser retail premises. These restrictions only apply when a shopping trolley has been taken onto land that is maintained by the local authority, i.e. adopted highway. To warn of these restrictions, the council has erected warning signage at all access and egress points leading to and from the retail sites. 

The retail park maps show the extent of the retailer's land/or premises, which is depicted by a red border:

What can you do if you spot an abandoned trolley?

You can report abandoned trolleys by:

1. Contacting the retailer direct
2. Reporting it online to Trolleywise (opens new window)
   • Trolleywise currently collect from the following retailers:
     • Tesco
     • Sainsbury's
     • Morrisons
     • Iceland
     • B&Q
     • Home Bargains
     • Aldi
     • Marks and Spencer
     • Home Bargains
     • Dunelm

3. Abandoned Asda trolleys can be reported to Collex by emailing request@collextrolley.com, or via the free Collex app, available for both Apple and Android devices