Businesses urged to take lead in tackling back lane litter issue

BUSINESSES in Newcastle's West End are being urged to lead by example in tackling a back lane litter crisis.

- By DANIEL HOLLAND Local democracy reporter [e-mail] @danhollandnews

The state of back lanes across areas like Benwell, Elswick, and Fenham has been a longstanding problem for years, with the sight of overflowing communal bins and huge piles of fly-tipped rubbish becoming all too familiar.

Shocking video footage last month showed young children playing in a rat-infested back lane, while Newcastle City Council later complained that areas were becoming covered in waste within just 24 hours of being completely cleaned up by local authority workers.

Local businesses are now being asked to step up and help deliver a major behaviour change to finally deal with the scourge.

The council is launching a new Wingrove Business Forum, a platform for businesses and civic centre bosses to speak to each other and work together for the betterment of the West End.