Fly-tippers strike as tip open hours cut

Rubbish has been left dumped close to a tip in the Black Country which had its opening hours slashed as part of council cutbacks.

A carpet, paint trays, fencing and other waste was found close to the entrance of the Anchor Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre, in Coseley, which is now closed two days a week along with another site in Shaw Road, Bushbury, Wolverhampton.

The move was made in a bid to save £100,000 over two years as part of £27m of savings at Wolverhampton City Council.

The matter is now part of a political row between Labour and the ruling Tories.

Ettingshall councillor Andrew Johnson, who is up for re-election on May 6, said he had warned the council about the problem.

As Labour's finance spokesman he put forward an alternative budget which would have kept the tips open every day but would have meant a rise in council tax.

The Tories froze council tax at last year's levels.

Councillor Johnson said: "Our fears have rung true as illegally-dumped rubbish is creating an eyesore as well as a health and safety hazard within sight of the Anchor Lane waste disposal site.

"Most regrettably this appalling criminal act just yards from Anchor Lane demonstrates our warning that the closure of the public waste reception sites two days each week would lead to an increase in fly-tipping. Whilst people should not dump rubbish this crazy policy is a false economy."

The rubbish has since been cleaned up by the council. Councillor Barry Findlay, who is in charge of the city's environment services, said:

"This is the only incident of fly-tipping since the changes were made. There have been incidents before where people have done that. The rubbish was cleared up quickly."

Anchor Lane is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Shaw Road on Thursdays and Fridays.

Council spokesman Tim Clark added: "A quantity of fly-tipped waste in a layby off the Black Country Route was reported on Tuesday and removed on Wednesday. "