Fly-tipping is getting ‘worse and worse’

RESIDENTS have called for a clean-up of Weston and Worle, saying ‘desperate’ people are causing more fly-tipping in the area.

The Mercury has received pictures of rubbish, furniture and waste which has been dumped in lanes, around estates and near businesses.

Mead Vale resident and secretary of the local action team (LAT), Dave Lock, has spotted litter and waste around the area - notably at the entrance to the Old Junction Yard, in Winterstoke Road - and has called for something to be done.

He feels a part of the problem is North Somerset Council’s permit scheme, which was introduced to reduce trade waste and the amount of vans using waste centres.

Mr Lock said: “I’ve seen so many people come in with a van wanting to get rid of a sofa or chair and other rubbish and they are asked to see a permit, but did not realise they needed one.

“The permits have not been advertised well.

“People are still going in with their rubbish and then being sent away because they have not got one, and then they look for the nearest lane.

“If people want to get rid of a sofa and chair, then they cannot fit them into a car, they would have to hire a 4x4 or a van, and when you get in they ask to see a permit.

“It’s getting terrible out there day to day. The Government is not stepping up on prosecuting for fly-tipping and it’s getting worse and worse.”

A council spokesman said: “We will remove the litter around the entrance to the Old Junction Yard, but the road itself is un-adopted and litter clearance is the responsibility of the land owner. We are investigating who owns the land and will serve a notice on them to remove it.

“Since we have had the vehicle permit scheme black bag waste has reduced by around 50 tonnes per week across our three household and waste recycling centres.

“There is no doubt that commercial waste was being dumped at our household waste recycling centres and we introduced the vehicle permit scheme to make sure that the cost of commercial waste disposal does not fall on the council taxpayers of North Somerset.”

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is also urging people to take responsibility for their waste, after seeing an increase in the amount dumped on farmland.

NFU deputy president, Minette Batters, said: “Fly-tipping on private land remains a significant problem for farmers and landowners who are left frustrated when they, the victims of a crime, are left to clear up dumped waste and then made to pay to dispose of it.

“This waste is not only unsightly, it is a danger to human health, livestock and wildlife and in some cases can pollute watercourses and contaminate land.”