Fly-tipping at a “dumping hotspot” continues to be a problem – months after the issue was first raised.
Thoughtless fly-tippers have been dumping construction materials and litter at the back of the Company Shop at Blythswood Retail Park in Renfrew.
Councillor Jamie McGuire, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead, spoke about it last summer as he sought to solve the problem. However, his war against brazen fly-tippers continues.
Cllr McGuire says the dumped materials pose a health and safety risk – with piles of rubble blocking the path on to Inchinnan Road.
Last summer, Renfrewshire Council explained that, because the waste was on private land, it was the responsibility of the landowner to remove it.
The local authority added it would ask them to do so. But nine months later, the waste remains on the site.
Cllr McGuire said: “The council must do more to combat illegal fly-tipping in this area, as it has become a waste dumping hotspot. In addition to having an effect on public health, it also has an effect on the wider environment.
“It is evident that this area is continually targeted, so more must be done to prevent it. The public footpath leading to the retail park has become inaccessible which is unacceptable.
“I am aware that the council intends to target hotspot areas as part of a programme to catch fly-tippers, which is encouraging but they must ensure that this area is at the top of the list to ensure that fly-tipping is eliminated permanently.”
If someone is caught fly-tipping, they could face a fixed penalty notice of £200 or, if taken to court, a fine of up to £40,000 or even imprisonment. Back in August 2022, a council spokesperson said the landowner had CCTV cameras and that it would work with them to try and identify the people responsible for the fly-tipping.
Responding to Cllr McGuire’s comments, a council spokesperson said: “There is no excuse for fly-tipping. It is illegal, unsightly and damages our environment.
“To tackle the issue, and as part of our Team Up to Clean Up campaign, we have created a new team dedicated to catching people and businesses in the act and they carry out proactive visits to hot spot areas, respond to reports from members of the public, and seek to identify and issue fines to the person or business responsible.
“Renfrew retail park is privately owned and it is the responsibility of the landowner to remove the fly-tipping, but we will liaise with them to ensure this takes place and to identify measures that can be put in place to stop it
reoccurring.
“We will proactively look at this area with the aim of stopping the illegal activity taking place and would encourage the councillor and the local community to report any instances of fly tipping to us with all available evidence.”
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