Eyesore alley in Wolverhampton blighted by fly-tippers

A number of residents in Wednesfield have expressed concerns over ongoing incidents of household rubbish – particularly leftover construction materials from house renovations – being thrown down the passageway in Prestwood Avenue on the Linthouse Lane estate.

The alleyway, which runs between and behind several houses in the street, is also badly overgrown with weeds and nettles and has been branded an eyesore by neighbours.

Several large construction container bags full of waste, black rubbish bags and items of unwanted furniture – including a damaged sofa chair – have been dumped along the former garage access route in recent weeks.

Councillor Rita Potter said several residents living nearby had already contacted her to report frequent incidents of fly-tipping in the area.

“I’m told this particular alleyway is privately owned, but a number of people living in and around Prestwood Avenue have said they are fed up with the mess it has been left in,” she said.

“Whoever owns this passageway is responsible for its upkeep and maintenance, and they clearly aren’t doing their job. The state it is in is disgusting.

“It would be no problem for the council to come and remove the rubbish if the owner requested them to, but they would then be billed for the work.

“People are regularly using this site as a tip and it is becoming a real problem. It needs to be cleared once and for all, and then ideally some fencing, a gate or bollards put at the entrance – something that will prevent this happening further.

“I would like to remind members of the public that anyone caught and convicted of fly-tipping will automatically receive a £400 fine,” she added.

“If people buy and own land then it is their duty to maintain it. Otherwise, I think there should be a clause whereby the council can take the land back if it’s not being looked after properly.”

Councillor Potter said that she hoped whoever owned the alleyway would step up and tidy the site as soon as possible.