Anger as rubbish is dumped on Walsall street weeks after volunteers clean up area
“Disgusting” fly-tippers have struck on Walsall land which was cleared up by dedicated volunteers just a few weeks ago.
Blakenall councillor Izzy Hussain has called for strong action to be taken against the perpetrators who left a number of items of furniture and wood on Mill Street, near its junction with North Street.
The land belongs to Walsall Housing Group (whg) which has been contacted by Councillor Hussain to get the mess cleared. The provider has confirmed the mess will be cleared by Monday.
On June 1, he had joined volunteers, fellow councillors, officers and representatives from Suez on an organised clean up of the area which saw dozens of bags of litter and dumped wood picked up.
Councillor Hussain said: “This is disgusting behaviour. It’s been just few weeks since a team of volunteers and myself cleaned this area and it has been fly tipped again.
“I felt angry when I saw it. It’s a big load so it has obviously been carried in some kind of transport.
“It baffles me why they couldn’t just take it to a local tip which is about a mile and a half down the road in Leamore and easily accessible.
“I would almost understand if there were no facilities but if they are in a car or a van, why not just make that extra trip further?
“We need more education and deterrence. I am in talks with Walsall Housing Group as it’s their land to get it cleaned up and there is a camera up the road which we are trying to get access to the footage.
“Hopefully we will find out who it is and what sort of vehicle was used. I’m also hoping we can put some sort of signs up in the area, especially by this land. We want to stop this happening in future.”
He added: “It is a bit of a slap in the face. They know that area, it’s a side street and you have to live in the area to know its there. You can quite easily dump rubbish there.
“The work the volunteers do is never going to stop but at the same time, there has to be a deterrent and something to educate people.
“Otherwise it is just a circle. There needs to be a message out there to get people to stop it in the first place.”
A spokesperson from whg said: “Our Neighbourhoods Team work incredibly hard to keep our estates green, clean and safe. Fly-tipping is unacceptable.
“We were notified of this most recent incident today and immediately went out to inspect it.
“We have arranged for the fly-tipped waste to be removed by Monday at the latest . We will take further action where evidence is available – including recharging whoever dumped this waste for the cost of clearing it.”
In recent years, Walsall Council has increased fines for environmental crimes to the maximum allowed by law as part of efforts to crack down on incidents.
Other measures include introducing ‘Walsall’s Most Wanted’ which officers rewards to people who can provide crucial evidence to secure convictions against criminals who fly-tip in the borough.
