Mixed feelings from residents over charges for dumping rubbish at council tips in Staffordshire

Staffordshire County Council brought in charges at household waste recycling centres across the county, including at Cannock, Rugeley, Stafford, Stone, Lichfield and Wombourne on November 1.

Councillors said it could lead to increased fly-tipping. A large bag of soil or rubble now costs £3 to discard, plasterboard costs £4 per sheet, or large bag, and tyres £4 each. Previously it was free to dump such items.

Some residents disposing of items at Stafford Recycling Centre at the weekend called the charges 'out of order', while others claimed they could understand why the decision had been made.

David Colghill, a 56-year-old civil servant from Stafford, said: "I can see why they have decided to introduce the charges, everybody knows that there is just no money for local authorities at the moment.

"It is bound to be put down by a few people but in principal it is a good idea.

Perhaps there have been cases in the past where companies have been posing as members of the public and getting rid of their stuff for free."

Roy Fell, a 57-year-old joiner, from Stafford, said the new charges caught him off guard. He said: "I think it is out of order and will lead to more fly-tipping for sure.

"I was just coming out to drop something off for my mother-in-law and she asked if I needed any money.

"I had to ask why because I hadn't heard about the charges, so me and my son checked the tariffs online."

Paul Atkinson, a 31-year-old gardener from Gnosall, said: "I can see why they have had to do it but I think some of the things they are asking money for, like hardcore for example, is a bit surprising."

MP for South Staffordshire Gavin Williamson has branded the new charges 'ridiculous' and warned they will cause an increase in fly-tipping.

He said: "This will only lead to an increase in fly-tipping, which is an extremely important issue in South Staffordshire and has caused untold damage to our countryside.

"I look forward to meeting with the Council and I hope that the concerns of my constituents will be listened to."

Councillor Gill Heath, Cabinet member for environment and the communities, said waste generated by DIY, or landscaping of gardens is not legally regarded as household rubbish and, like many other councils, the authority had decided to cover the cost of processing it by charging residents.