Apology to families upset over cemetery fly-tipping
CITY bosses have apologised to families affected by the rubbish left by fly-tippers at St Kentigern’s Cemetery in Lambhill, and in Linn Park Cemetery.
The Evening Times reported yesterday that large amounts of commercial waste and rubbish had been left in woodlands at the back of St Kentigern’s despite amounts being cleared and bollards being installed by the council in 2018.
Since publication, the council have agreed to revisit the site and attempt to find more information to help identify those who are tipping in the first instance.
A spokesman from Glasgow City Council said: “These are very regrettable scenes and we are sorry if they have upset anyone who visited either cemetery.
“It is appalling that anyone ever thought it okay to fly-tip waste in a place of remembrance.
“Those responsible for fly-tipping inside a cemetery deserve the public’s contempt.
“Thankfully, recent measures to restrict access have had a positive impact and we are not aware of any new taking fly-tipping incidents at these cemeteries.
“Unfortunately, the locations where these older incidents of fly-tipping have taken place are difficult for vehicles to access and also present a safety hazard to staff working on foot.
“We will look again to see if these items can be removed safely and we will double check the site for any information that helps to identify the culprits.”
Councillor Allan Gow, whose ward St Kentigern’s belongs to, also told The Evening Times: “Fly tipping is a significant issue across the city, much of the serious stuff is commercial rather than individuals.
Grouse Fan Zone at The Old Schoolhouse as a venue for our supporters to follow the team when we’re away from home.
“This is a great initiative from our official whisky partner, The Famous Grouse, and I know our players are looking forward to watching the match.”
“The north of the city has had some long-standing issues and I have been working with Council officers to see how best we can deter this kind of anti social behaviour. Sadly, where we find success in one area it often shifts the problem to another. It is particularly despicable that a cemetery is being used. “
The news of fly-tipping comes after The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) published in 2019 that instances of fly-tipping reported to SEPA had significantly risen.
In Glasgow City in 2018, 347 instances of fly-tipping were reported. This is a significant rise since numbers of fly-tipping incidents in 2010 were only 280.
According to Keep Scotland Beautiful there are an average of 170 flytipping incidents every single day, despite the threat of a £200 fine.
A spokesperson from SEPA told The Evening Times: “Fly tipping is a very serious issue across Scotland.
“It is an issue that is getting worse here in Glasgow and creates an added burden on already limited council budgets.
“There is also the negative impact to the environment – whether that’s in your street, local green spaces or even worse, local cemeteries.
“Often it is not clear as to what has been fly-tipped and it could include dangerous and hazardous materials.
“These can be harmful to wildlife and eco-systems, the people who use those spaces and places as well as the council staff who have to remove the fly-tipping.
“Fly-tipping is unacceptable and we need better enforcement to ensure we better protect people, places and the planet.”