Fly-tipping soared during lockdown
Almost 2000 cases of fly-tipping blighted South Lanarkshire during the first five months of lockdown.
Steps are now being taken by the council to address the problem.
From the end of March, when lockdown restrictions were introduced, there has been a substantial increase in incidents reported, compared to the same period last year.
The council has added additional resources to the waste and grounds team in order to reintroduce special uplifts, as reported, and the expanded team will also concentrate on clean ups where fly-tipping has been reported.
Executive Director of Community and Enterprise Resourc e s, Micha e l Mcglynn said: “Fly-tipping is a blight that affects us all but which is largely the result of the irresponsible actions of a minority of people. We are aware of the increase but we need your help to bring specific instances to our attention.
“Where we find evidence that will allow us to take action we will do so.
“If you have any information please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the website or on 0303 123 1015.”
Environmental Services will continue to investigate reporte d f l y - t i p p i n g incidents, with action taken if evidence found.
Fines to the value of £ 200 can be issued by officers as well as referrals to the Procurator Fiscal for more serious offences. One recent example of the inconvenience fly-tipping can cause is when Hallside Road had to be temporarily closed because of waste dumped in the middle of the road.
From March 2020 to August 26, 2020 there have been 1951 instances of flytipping recorded by the council.
Mr Mcglynn added: “Although the increase in flytipping is of course extremely frustrating, I would like to thank the vast majority of our residents who are managing their waste and have been using our Household Waste Recycling Centres.
“We have had in excess of 190,000 vehicles visit the six sites and 6000 tonnes of waste has been dumped, of which approximately 55 per cent has been recycled.
“The news yesterday that special uplifts will soon return will also hopefully help people to manage their waste accordingly.”