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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Nicola Findlay

Fly-tipping continues to blight communities in Lanarkshire

Fly-tipping is continuing to be an eyesore in East Kilbride with a local resident and a long-standing councillor hitting out.

There has been a number of instances recently in known hot-spots in the town including Telford Road in The Murray where just 15 minutes after a pile of household waste was lifted by the council following complaints - yet another haul was dumped.

And a resident says she and her family are sick fed-up of endless piles of waste being dumped on a grassy area in front of their dad's Calderwood home.

She told Lanarkshire Live: "It's a joke, it's absolutely disgusting. Piles of household waste and bin bags just get dumped on the grass and are lying there for days on end before someone gets that fed up of looking at it they phone the council and complain.

"Why should my dad have to sit and look at that out his front window? And it's not the first time it happened - it's constant. And more often than not when you phone the council they say they have no request for a special uplift recorded.

"And our dad isn't in good health so it's what's among the rubbish and in the bin bags that worries me - what if rats ended up in my dad's house because of it?

"We are sick fed-up of it. Some people just don't seem to care, they don't want to pay for an uplift or they can't be bothered putting stuff in their car and going to the tip? What's so difficult about that? Is this now what's acceptable in East Kilbride?"

A previous instance of fly-tipping in Cllr Convery's ward (East Kilbride News)

Councillor Gerry Convery is equally angry about the problem.

He said: "I have become totally appalled with the massive increase in fly-tipping

"There is no excuse for this type of behaviour which blights our area. The vast majority of people want to see and live in a clean and tidy place.

"I am a great believer that you're front door is not where you're home starts its also the environment that surrounds it.

"I call on all like minded people let's all pledge to rid society of this disgraceful act of fly-tipping.

"I constantly raise this and want to end this unacceptable behaviour by those who don't care."

Alistair McKinnon, head of facilities, waste and grounds services at South Lanarkshire Council, said: "Fly-tipping is a blight on our communities and the council takes this criminal activity very seriously.

“Environmental Services investigates all reports of fly-tipping and will take enforcement action where the person responsible can be identified. We also encourage everyone to dispose of their waste properly and to take advantage of the special uplift service and civic amenity sites provided by the council.

“There is simply no excuse for this type of selfish and irresponsible behaviour which blights our environment for all who live, work, and visit here.

“More than ever, throughout the last two years, we have all spent more time in our local communities, making the most of what our own doorsteps have to offer.

"It’s not right or fair that these should be ruined for us by those few who care little about those spaces, or the people they share them with."

He added: "The issue in Abercromby Place in Calderwood was brought to our attention earlier this week and, to ensure public safety, the rubbish will be removed.

"However, there should be no doubt that those who blight our residential areas like this are putting their neighbours at risk and diverting cash and resources from other areas all because they think the rules don’t apply to them."

Anyone who wants to report concerns about illegal dumping across South Lanarkshire can call 0303 123 1015 or get in touch via the website.

**Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

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