More than £50,000 of taxpayers’ money has been saved following Mendip District Council’s decision to introduce temporary road closures at a notorious fly-tipping hotspot near Frome.
Since the decision to introduce temporary road closures in April 2016, there has been a reduction of 321 fly-tips, saving the council almost £51,000 in fly-tipping costs and improving the environment and quality of life for people living locally.
In view of the overwhelming success of the road closures in tackling fly-tipping and an extremely positive response to the closures from many people living locally, Mendip commenced consultation on a proposal to implement a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), one of the new tools under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, to combat fly tipping in the area.
On Monday 13th November, the district council’s cabinet agreed the making of a PSPO for three months using a concrete barrier solution. The order has now been formally signed by the council, which will see a continuation of the road closure in the Berkley Lane area for the three-month duration of the PSPO.
The road closure will apply to Berkley Lane, from the north side of the Pines Residential Site to its junction with Dark Lane (Dark Lane is not affected).
Cllr Nigel Taylor, portfolio holder for neighbourhood and community health services said, “Fly-tipping is a crime and a scourge on our towns and beautiful villages across the Mendip district.
“We are committed to continuing to fight the fly-tippers who cost the council thousands of pounds every year to clean up the mess they leave behind.
“I’m pleased that our bold decision to temporarily close these roads in the Berkley area, under the Temporary Road Traffic Order (TTRO), has proved effective and that the Public Space Protection Order has now been approved.
“Not only have the road closures proved a great success in tackling fly-tipping, saving council taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds, it has also been well received by many people living locally.”
Comments received by the council from many local residents said the lanes have seen an increase in joggers, cyclists, horse riders and dog walkers and that the area now feels a safer and more pleasant place to be.
The public can play a key role in helping the council catch the fly-tippers. To contact the council to report fly-tipping call 0300 303 8588 or report directly online – www. mendip.gov.uk/streetclean? formid=10982
You can also contact Crimestoppers to make an anonymous report of the fly-tipping you have witnessed. Call 0800 555111 or go to www.crimestop pers-uk.org.
Mendip District Council, working alongside Somerset Waste Partnership, already offers a number of ways for residents to dispose of their waste safely and legally.
In addition to the fortnightly waste and recycling collections, residents can sign up for a fortnightly garden waste collection for £53.50 a year, or buy a pack of 10 garden waste sacks for just £26.50.
Somerset Waste Partnership operates a number of Household Recycling Centres across Mendip and also offers a collection service for ‘bulky waste’, such as fridges/freezers, tables, chairs, beds and sofas.
Cllr Taylor added, “Local people can help us combat fly-tipping by making sure that if they are paying a contractor or a ‘man with a van’ to take away their rubbish they ask to see the contractor’s Waste Carrier Licence and ask for a receipt too, to ensure the rubbish will be disposed of correctly. You have a legal duty of care to take reasonable steps to ensure a licensed waste carrier removes your waste or you risk ending up in court with a criminal record and a fine of up to £5,000.”
To sign up for a garden waste collection or find your nearest Household Recycling Centre go to www.mendip.gov.uk/waste or call 0300 303 8588.
