FLY-TIPPING LIST OF SHAME REVEALS HOTSPOTS IN TOWNS
The top spots for flytipping in Renfrewshire throughout the coronavirus pandemic have been revealed.
Between the start of the UK lockdown on March 23 and the end of October, there were 1,316 reports of illegal dumping in the region.
And according to statistics, Gleniffer Road in Paisley has been the hotspot for the thoughtless act, with more than 20 complaints recorded during the period.
Meanwhile, data shows the town’s Espedair Street also attracted dumpers with 17 reports, while McKerrell Street, Clarence Street, Blackstoun Road and Wellmeadow Street recorded 10 or more complaints.
Moss Road in Linwood and Old Greenock Road - which runs between Inchinnan and Langbank - came out as common fly- tipping spots outside of Paisley.
However, the data - which was gained through a Freedom of Information request to Renfrewshire Council - suggests the vast majority of people are getting away with blighting the region’s environment.
During the period, only 61 fixed penalty notices ( FPNs) were handed out and just four of those were linked to Paisley’s popular spot of Gleniffer Road.
Council environment chiefs have insisted wardens regularly patrol rural areas fly-tippers go for and said they would not hesitate to fire up cameras where they believe a specific spot is being consistently targeted.
“Renfrewshire Council Community Safety Partnership is aware areas such as Moss Road, Gleniffer Road and Old Greenock Road are hotspots for fly- tippers,” a council spokesman said.
“These are long, rural country roads which suffer from flytipping on intermittent spots.
“Renfrewshire wardens regularly patrol these areas and the public supply us with information where they have witnessed events. We will continue to monitor using cameras when we identify precise locations on these roads being targeted.
“We are united with our communities in tackling fly- tipping and together, with enforcement action, investigating incidents reported to us and CCTV patrols visiting hotspots, we have been working closely with local groups across Renfrewshire to support them through the award- winning Team Up to Clean Up campaign, which continues to foster collective pride in our place.”
Some of the items dumped across Renfrewshire during the period included freezers, Christmas trees, carpets, mattresses, microwaves, shopping trollies, bathroom suites, TVs, radiators and, in one case, someone felt the need to highlight a rubber duck had been spotted in a pile of household waste.
Fly-tippers can face an FPN of £200 if they are caught in the act and cases can be taken to court, where law-breakers could face a fine of up to £40,000 or even imprisonment.
The council has said it investigates every report which comes in, but is urging residents to continue reporting people illegally dumping waste to help staff catch culprits.
A spokesman added: “No matter the circumstances, flytipping is illegal, unacceptable, and deeply damaging to the environment and we would urge anyone aware of incidents to report these by calling us on 0300 300 0300 or via our website.
“We need people to take responsibility for their waste and challenge the perception that this is an acceptable thing to do, no matter the situation.
“Our wardens investigate every report we receive, visiting each location and where appropriate speaking to members of the local community for further information.”
We need people to take responsibility for their waste and challenge the perception that this is an acceptable thing to do