Fly-tippers strike 2,000 times in one year

Fly-tippers struck in a Black Country town almost 2,000 times in just 12 months, figures revealed today, as council bosses vowed to get tough and take a zero-tolerance stance against the culprits.

Blackspots in Walsall included Doe Bank Lane in Great Barr; Bridle Lane in Streetly; Cartbridge Lane South in Rushall; Harrowby Road in Moxley; Fishley Lane, Bloxwich; and Back Lane in Aldridge.

Members of the public made more than 700 complaints to Walsall Council in 2010 after items including mattresses, tyres and furniture were dumped across the borough.

Councillor Zahid Ali, cabinet member for communities and partnerships, said today: "Like the rest of the country, fly-tipping is a major concern in our borough but the council has been working hard to clear up the rubbish and to also tackle those who commit offences.

"Working in partnership with residents and other agencies, we are making great progress in the fight against fly-tipping. Incidents of fly-tipping cause a great deal of nuisance and problems for our residents in the borough and therefore we will be taking a zero tolerance approach."

Councillors Ali said residents were joining the fight against the fly-tippers by reporting more and more of the incidents to the council and this was resulting in more of the mess being cleaned up.

For example, in September 2010, there were 181 clean-ups in Walsall — compared to 127 for the same month a year earlier. Action against the fly-tippers has included barriers and CCTV cameras being installed at trouble hotspots.

Letters have also been issued to warn people that if they are caught illegally dumping rubbish, they will be dragged before the courts and could face either a hefty fine or even a prison sentence.

Throughout 2010, council officers also visited more than 400 premises to make sure the owners were complying with waste regulations. They issued more than 130 enforcement notices to land owners to make them comply with the legislation.

Ten vans were also stopped on the road to make sure everything was above board and they were not going to illegally dump their rubbish. Fly-tipping incidents last year included rubbish being dumped at the Proffitt Street flats in Blakenall, and piles of bin bags, toys and bricks left from the derelict Railway Tavern pub in Cemetery Road, Darlaston. The site is one of the most notorious fly-tipping hotspots in the borough and last March tons of unsightly mess had to be cleared away.

Residents in Hawkswood Drive, Moxley, were also subjected to cars and vans pulling up and dumping everything from mattresses to building debris.

In Cartbridge Lane South, Rushall, thousands of pounds were spent removing the likes of mattresses, tyres and car parts from the area.

To report an incident of fly-tipping, call 01922 653344 or email streetpride@walsall.gov.uk