'Law change needed' Fly-tipping is blighting parks, lanes and estates

FLY-TIPPING is blighting play parks, country lanes and housing estates in South Gloucestershire as councillors say the law needs to change.

- Alex SEABROOK

All over the district piles of rubbish are left by criminals which harm the environment, are a public health risk, and cost taxpayers to clear up.

Criminals caught fly-tipping in South Gloucestershire were fined almost £50,000 last year but that money then left the district. Councillors are calling for a change in the law so the money raised from prosecutions is invested back into the area, and used to clamp down on the issue.

Fly-tipping is a "top concern" for people living in the area, but incidents are below the national average. However data shows the number of incidents increased by 72 per cent over the last decade. South Gloucestershire Council, at a full council meeting on Wednesday, July 16, pledged to take further action on the widespread problem and write to the government.

Conservative Councillor Matthew Riddle said: "What I've noticed in the Severn Vale over the last few years is that the size of fly-tipping is getting much bigger. We still get a single divan bed put in the verge, maybe a couple of black bin liners dumped on the side of the verge.