New figures published this week have proven that incidents of fly-tipping have increased since the introduction of new charges at recycling centres across Somerset.
A report for Somerset Waste Board found a “clear increase” in district councils dealing with an “unprecedented number of cases”.
Burnham-On-Sea.com recently reported here that Highbridge’s Isleport Recycling Centre is among the centres across Somerset that has reduced its opening times and introduced new charges for soil, rubble and hardcore as part of the County Council’s bid to save £1.9m over three years.
Fly-tipping in the Burnham area is not specifically mentioned in the report, but over recent months rubbish has been dumped in Stoddens Lane, Pople’s Bow, the Isleport Industrial Estate, Walrow and next to the River Brue in Highbridge.
Somerset County Council says it will reimburse district councils for clearing up any extra fly-tipping, which could cost up to £6,000 a month.
Somerset Waste Board said there had been complaints about the charges – 248 by letter and email, 120 by phone, and four formal complaints made to the local government ombudsman.
The report is going to a committee of councillors on 22nd June, with the recommendation that they do not introduce any more charges or close any sites for now.
Pictured: Fly-tipped waste in Burnham’s Stoddens Lane and, above, Cllr Chris Williams with waste found in Highbridge’s Pople’s Bow
