Time to declare war on fly-tippers
A TORY MP waging war on fly-tipping says taxpayers are spending millions each year to clean up their blighted communities.
Paul Bristow wants a loophole allowing fly-tippers to advertise “criminality” online to be closed under a new law.
His Bill, introduced to the Commons last week, would require the display of a valid waste transfer licence for all removal adverts.
Councils would also be forced to fine perpetrators when the evidence for fly-tipping is “clear” on both public and private land.
Mr Bristow said: “There are over a million fly-tipping incidents a year.
“And clear-up is costing the taxpayer hundreds of millions each and every year.This has got to stop.
“It is time for Government to step up. Those who dump waste illegally are taking us all for a ride.
“They are criminals. We need to fight back. I will not rest until we have won the war on fly-tippers.” Mr Bristow introduced his Disposal of Waste (Advertising and Penalty Provision) Bill to the Commons last Tuesday.
He asked for his Bill to be considered at second reading on May 17 although it is unlikely to become law due to a lack of parliamentary time.
Tory MP Selaine Saxby says it is an “intrinsically conservative value” to take pride in local communities.
She added: “Unfortunately, fly-tippers and persistent litterers can leave scars on our community, with people feeling disenfranchised rather than proud in their area.
“Indeed, fly-tipping can not only ruin people’s enjoyment of outdoor areas, but also upset and affect the local environment and wildlife.”
The Government has clamped down on this blight by increasing the fines for littering from £400 to £1,000.
Ms Saxby said: “Fly-tipping still remains an all too common problem, and further, tougher methods should be explored.”
There has been a “marked” increase in waste being dumped in rural parts of the South West, figures show. Gloucestershire dairy farmer Richard Cornock said fly-tipping on his land has got worse.
Mr Cornock said: “It seems to be relentless. Only a few weeks ago I had a sofa dumped down by the road on our field, and again this was something I had to deal with.”
He fears waste dumped could kill his cows if they ingest it.
Around 3,000 instances of fly-tipping are reported each day in England – once every 30 seconds. This is costing local authorities up to
£58million each year, the Local Government Association said.
The most common place for fly-tipping was on highways, pavements and roads, which accounted for two fifths of incidents in 2022-23.
The most common size category for fly-tipping incidents was equivalent to a “small van load” (31%), followed by the equivalent of a “car boot or less” (27%).
Around 42,000 or around 4% of total incidents were of “tipper lorry load” size or larger, up from 37,000 in the previous year. Councillor
Darren Rodwell, environment spokesman for the Local Government Association, said: “Fly-tipping is inexcusable. It is not only an eyesore but a serious public health risk, creating pollution and attracting rats and other vermin.”
The Tories have also accused
Labour of “failing to get a grip” on fly-tipping after its analysis suggested Conservative-run council fines were harsher than those imposed by Opposition-run councils.
Craig Tracey MP, deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “Labour-run councils have failed to
get a grip on fly-tipping, blighting our countryside with heaps of rubbish that is dirty, dangerous and damaging to our precious natural environment.
“Conservative councils are keeping communities clean by using the extra powers from this government
to crack down on offenders, while Labour would take us back to square one.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been contacted for comment.
IT’S hard to think of anything more dispiriting than seeing rubbish dumped in a lay-by or piled up in a river – until you see the bill, at least. Fly-tipping costs local councils £58million a year, while 3,000 incidents are reported every day.
This is a blight on the nation, which causes understandable fury. It’s remarkable that fly-tippers are, in practice, free to advertise their services online.The law must be tightened to end this problem, while fly-tippers must be prosecuted and forced to pay for the damage they have caused.