Residents asked to shop the fly-tippers

Mar 21 2008 by Wendy Horton, South Wales Echo

THE public are being urged to report fly-tipping which is continuing to blight scenic spots in a South Wales county.

Fly-tipping is a major problem in Caerphilly county, according to the local authority, which claims rubbish and other unwanted items are being illegally dumped.

Today it is urging residents to report anyone seen carrying out the illegal practice.

One resident who has reported the effects of fly-tipping on numerous occasions is nature lover Estelle Whittaker.

She says she has been disgusted with rubbish being dumped on Nelson and Senghenydd Common.

While walking her dogs she has found TVs, freezers, clothing, broken glass, electrical cable and building materials, dumped near the cattle grid onto the common.

And a few days ago she saw a cow with a plastic carrier bag stuck to one of its horns.

Mrs Whittaker, a 38-year-old housewife from Greenacres, Nelson, said: “The rubbish is spread over the greenery and is a total disgrace.

“Why do people do this in an age when we are suppose to be green?

“People campaignto keep the countryside free of development and for the local communities yet they allow this to happen to this area.

“Is it builders charging their customers for the removal of the waste and then dumping it and cashing in?

“Is it just lazy because they couldn’t be bothered to take it to their local council tip site?

“Last week I saw a van pull up loaded with stuff and I made a point of staying there for half an hour watching them before they pulled off without getting out of their vehicle.”

A Caerphilly council spokesman said: “The council will not tolerate the actions of fly-tippers and we will do everything possible to prosecute these people.”

If anyone has information about illegal fly-tipping they are asked to contact 01495 235213.

wendy.horton@mediawales.co.uk