|
Joint action to crackdown on fly-tipping at recycling site
Wiltshire County Council has joined forces with West Wiltshire District Council to improve a mini-recycling site blighted by fly-tipping.
The bring site at Leigh Park, Westbury Leigh, has containers to take household cardboard and plastic bottles for recycling.
However, since it was opened five months ago there have been persistent problems with rubbish being illegally dumped at the site. Not only does it make it unsightly, it is also illegal to leave it there and it could damage the environment.
The material has come from both households and from businesses and has included broken bikes, old pushchairs, pizza boxes and general household waste. In the latest incident, reported this week, around a dozen bags of rubbish had been left at the site many of which contained items which could have been recycled.
Now a warning has gone out that the site which is managed by the County Council's waste contractor Hills Waste Solutions, and West Wiltshire District Council, could close unless the fly-tipping stops.
The containers are collected by waste contractor Hills Waste Solutions on behalf of the County Council.
Cliff Carter, from Hills, said: "At least once a week our staff are confronted with bags of rubbish which people have left.
"The right way for householders to get rid of their waste is to recycle what they can and put what is left out for collection. Traders know they need to make their own arrangements.
"It is such a shame that some people cannot recycle their waste properly and have to make everybody else suffer."
The County Council has now put up new signs at the site making clear what can be left there and asking people to treat it properly. Posters are also going up at neighbouring shops asking people to report any fly-tipping.
Meanwhile Steve Williams, enforcement officer at West Wiltshire District Council, says his team will be monitoring the site closely.
"We investigate all reports of fly-tipping and, if necessary, we will prosecute offenders," he said. "West Wiltshire District Council takes the problem of fly-tipping very seriously. It damages the environment and we all end up paying for it."
The District Council now has mobile surveillance equipment which it will used to monitor regular areas of fly tipping such as mini-recycling sites, laybys and car parks.
Last year the District Council investigated 180 cases of fly-tipping and it cost council tax-payers more than £16,000 to clear the rubbish and pursue offenders. Its enforcement officer will be following up information gleaned from the latest bout of fly-tipping.
Andy Conn, Waste Services Manager at the County Council, said: "The Leigh Park site is one of hundreds across the county which provide a valuable service for residents as they allow householders to put material in for recycling.
"Unfortunately the thoughtlessness of a minority of people is putting this facility at risk. If it cannot be kept clean and safe then we may have to close it.
"By working with the District Council, Hills and residents we hope we can make sure this site is used properly and for the benefit of all."
Wiltshire County Council is a member of the Street Scene partnership, which includes county and district councils, Police, Probation, the Fire and Rescue service, and the community. It aims to improve the attractiveness, safety, cleanliness and usability of Wiltshire's streets.
ENDS
|
|
