Friday 27th March – The bin that Melanie and Roger put on tbe Viking Path for cigarette ends had been tipped over for a second time. We used a trowel and gloves to put the sane back in. We now just need to top the sand up again.. perhaps, it is a good time to put some fresh sand in the cigarette bins we installed along Monks Road.
March 2026: It is 50 years since the Viking Way was named as a long-distance path. What a shame that it is so difficult to keep our section of it free from litter..
Ever since a gate was installed between County Hospital and the Viking Way the place opposite that gate became a smoking area.
There were no bins and so the ground was covered with cigarette ends…. HUNDREDS of cigarette ends.
This montage shows our solution to this problem. For over 2 years this cigarette bin has been collecting butts, with the slogan “THE BUTT STOPS HERE” now in this bin and several others we have installed along Monks Road.
A few days later we installed a dustbin here and have continued to replace the large black sacks we put in it. On average a fresh bag is needed twice a week. Much of what is being put in that bag would otherwise be being dropped along the path.
We discovered that, in 2024, few residents seemed to know that the long-distance path, ‘THE VIKING WAY’ went through Abbey Ward. The few who did know about the VIKING WAY were unsure exactly where it was.
A few internet searches determined that it enters Lincoln on the Allenby Industrial Estate, goes along Tower Drive, the path along the southern edge of County Hospital then across Milman Road and through the Arboretum.
It was agreed fresh signage was needed and a survey of more than 50 residents determined the stretch from Tower Drive to Milman Road could best be described as ‘VIKING PATH’.
We had some signs made for this. So far, only one sign is in place.
I just found these notes from October 2024
The Viking Way Long Distance Footpath is 147 miles long from the Humber to Oakham. On the Viking Way, approaching Lincoln there are few small pieces of litter, such as sweet wrappers. Then… as soon as we enter Lincoln on the Allenby Estate, there is LITTER and FLY-TIPPING and DISCARDED BLACK SACKS.
This slide was shown on Monday night, whilst saying, “if only we had time”.
I was at a couple of mini-meetings this morning and we have decided we will tackle this.
The plan is to remove every bit of litter from where the Viking Way first comes into Lincoln, in just one hour, starting at 9:30am, on Saturday 12th October.
To get there: From the city centre, go to the end of Monks Rd, follow left onto Allenby Rd, turn right and keep going to the end of Crofton Road, then turn right and down to the end of Dowding Rd.
The bin we filled with sand and placed beside the Viking Path for cigarette butts (where the back entrance is to the hospital grounds) has been tipped over 3 times in 2 years. Once in 2025 and now twice in March 2026. It’s a shame. Here’s Roger putting as much sand as he can back in the bin.
