Call for action overlitter and fly-tipping

Already this year there was a fly-tipping incident in Rother which sa rubbish strewn along the length of a country lane at Hooe.

Findings, by the Communities and Local Government Committee, suggest litter levels have not reduced for 12 years and that dealing with the problem costs taxpayers around £850m a year.

The committee suggests a number of new measures to tackle the problem, such as anti-litter warnings on fast food wrappers and using tobacco levies to help councils pay for the cost of clearing cigarette butts.

Fly-tipping levels have also risen by about 20%, and new fixed penalty notices should be introduced for people who dump household items, the MPs said.

Committee chairman Clive Betts said councils were spending “hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money fighting a losing battle” against litter.

commenting on the recent incident, Rother councillor Tony Ganly said: “The sheer volume of waste meant a lengthy clean-up operation was required, the cost of which ultimately has to be borne by the taxpayer.

“Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and I would strongly urge anyone with information about this incident to contact us so appropriate legal action can be taken.”

Call on 01424 787000.