Member Article

Traders affected as fly-tippers dump rubbish ‘on industrial scale’

Public services provider Amey is working with Merseyside Police to help find fly-tippers who dumped about 50 tonnes of waste at industrial estates in the Kirkdale district of Liverpool.

About 16 tonnes of industrial rubbish was dumped in Syren Street, with similar amounts in nearby Clyde Street and in William Moult Street in the early hours of 17 December.

CCTV images of a lorry, believed to have been involved in the fly-tipping, have now been released, and police and the city council are appealing for help in finding the culprits.

Anybody with information about this lorry or who can provide any help in identifying the fly-tippers is asked to call 0151 233 3001. Calls will be treated in confidence.

Concern about the level of fly-tipping in the area is such that a special five - strong neighbourhood enforcement ‘hit squad’ of council investigators working with Amey and Merseyside Police has been set up to deal with the problem.

They will be involved in identifying the fly-tippers, taking legal action against them and also providing a quick reaction to ensure dumped rubbish is removed as quickly as possible.

All of the rubbish dumped in the recent incidents was removed by Amey with priority being given to that which presented a health hazard or obstructed business premises.

Local councillor Joe Hanson, said: “All types of fly-tipping – whether it is somebody just throwing away a bag of rubbish or white van man dumping builders’ rubble – is irresponsible and anti-social.

“But what has been happening recently is of a different dimension. It is industrial scale fly-tipping.

“It was so bad that local traders are being affected. One particular business was hit for a time as they could not get into their own premises as a mountain of rubbish was blocking the gates.

“We cannot let this go on – it is hitting businesses and the local community. With the help of the public we will trace those responsible and take the strongest action possible. We will prosecute them, seeking the toughest sentences and we will seize their vehicles.

“The message going out is that you are not using our city as a dumping ground- we now have a team in place to deal with fly-tippers in Kirkdale and we are determined to end this problem.”

Councillor Steve Munby, cabinet member for living environment and localism, added: “Fly-tipping is something we cannot and will not tolerate. I would appeal to anybody who has information about these incidents to contact us so we can ensure that those responsible are made to pay the penalty.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .