YARDS have proved the tipping point for a community after ever-growing piles of rubbish were left there for weeks.
The back of properties in Dawdon have become a dumping ground.
Since before the New Year, beds and other items of furniture, tyres, supermarket trolleys and building waste have been left at the back of terrace house in Stavordale Street West, Dawdon.
The house, which is being repossessed, is empty.
Another yard in nearby Strangways Street has also become the focus for flytippers.
Councillor Bob Arthur, who represents the Dawdon ward on Durham County Council, and lives near the problem area, has raised the issue with the authority on several occasions after complaints from people living in his area.
He said he has been told there is not the cash available to cover the cost of the clear-ups.
The council said it has visited the area on a number of occasions to remove waste from the yards of the private properties.
Coun Arthur said: “This has been going on for quite a long time and it just keeps building up again. It’s scandalous, terrible.
“Sadly, the lock has broken off the double gate.
“I’ve asked to have it cleared up and the first time I was told there was no budget.
“In the yard at Strangways, there are four Asda shopping trolleys, but again, there’s no gate.”
The council has since sent a team to clear waste from the rear of Stavordale Street West, while the company dealing with the repossession has removed rubbish from the yard and secured it to prevent anyone entering again.
The council is also making efforts to deal with the property in Strangways Street.
Oliver Sherratt, head of direct services, said of the Stavordale Street West site: “This is an ongoing problem and we have repeatedly visited this property as a result of fly-tipping.
“Our teams have visited to clear the street, and have also removed the wheelie bins.
“If anybody does have information relating to fly-tipping in the area, I would ask them to report this to the council so we can follow this up.”
The council says it will remove flytipped waste within 24 hours of a report when practical, and will carry out an investigation which could lead to a prosecutione.
It has urged people to pass on details of sites via www.durham.gov.uk or tel. 03000 26 1000.
Twitter: @EchoEastDurham
Comments