Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Flytippers at popular beauty spot slammed
FLYTIPPERS at a Dundee beauty spot were today slammed after rubbish — including a burnt-out sofa — was recovered from Templeton Woods.
Leading councillors condemned those responsible for discarding their rubbish, including garden waste and household items, at the popular walking trail.
Lord Provost and councillor Ian Borthwick, whose Strathmartine ward covers the area, said there was a total “lack of consideration” shown by flytippers.
Mr Borthwick encouraged those who witnessed flytipping to contact the authorities “immediately”.
The Lord Provost added: “This is becoming an increasing problem and it is a total lack of consideration taken by those who flytip.
“It is extremely unsightly in our green spaces, considering people are doing their best to improve our parks and green spaces.
“Not only is this a complete disregard for the area, it is also attracting firebugs.
“I would encourage anyone who saw people carrying out such offences to report it immediately to allow every opportunity to be made to identify the culprits.”
Leader of the opposition Kevin Keenan also condemned the actions of flytippers and claimed the recent changes to access to some council skips may be having an impact.
“I know there have been changes where certain vehicles have had to register in advance before disposing of items,” he said.
“Changes such as this may be the barrier that may cause items being disposed of elsewhere and it is certainly something that officers should be monitoring.
“We condemn flytipping in every possible way and the damage that flytipping is causing to areas such as Templeton Woods.
“It is obviously disappointing that an area of the woods has been damaged by firebugs.
“If this were to happen on a regular basis, it would be a real concern.
“Not only is it a cost to the service, but it may have a negative impact on an emergency elsewhere.”
The Dundee Ranger Service said a sofa was dumped in the woods last week.
The service said in a statement: “This sofa was dumped during the day this week and was set on fire the same night.
“There is also an ever-increasing pile of garden waste.”
A city council spokeswoman said: “So-called flytipping is completely antisocial and blights the communities and areas where it goes on.
“Anyone who does it is also acting illegally and the council has in place robust procedures to deter this type of behaviour.”
The spokeswoman added that people can report fly tipping on the council’s website. Our