This is the state left by 'disgraceful' fly-tippers who dumped huge heaps of waste at Boldon's West Pastures site

Tons of waste has been illegally dumped in a field at the West Pastures site, off Newcastle Road near East Boldon, in the last few weeks.

Pictures, taken on Thursday, July 16, by a resident who lives near to the site, show several piles of rubbish, including building materials, top soil and the discarded remains of a tree.

It comes just a weeks after a sofa, white goods, a plastic children’s slide and two distinctive toy ride-on cars were among the items left in the same area in a previous incident around July 2.

Mark Veater, who shared the photos on his Twitter account, said ‘phantom fly-tipping’ has been a problem at West Pastures for a number of years.

Earlier this year South Tyneside Council pledged to crackdown on incidents after it was revealed almost 1,000 tonnes of waste had been collected in the borough over the last 12 months.

And figures collated on behalf of the Gazette in February show that nearly £500,000 has been spent in less than a decade clearing up after offenders.

Now bosses have again condemned fly-tippers, warning that not only are they acting illegally but placing a huge burden on ‘extremely stretched’ council resources and are putting the environment and the general public at risk.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety, said: “It is disgraceful that some people think it is still okay to abandon their rubbish in our streets or open spaces.

“Fly-tipping is not only illegal, it is a huge drain on our extremely stretched resources with the cost of cleaning up and investigating these offences placing an additional burden on taxpayers. Abandoned waste is also unsightly and can be harmful to the public and wildlife, even more so if targeted by arsonists.

“We take instances of fly-tipping extremely seriously and will take action against anyone we can identify as being responsible.”

Residents are also being urged to help the council identify those responsible by reporting all incidents of fly-tipping – however big or small.

Cllr Atkinson added: “Through our Report It campaign, we continue to encourage people to tell us about offences and provide as much information as possible, particularly details of any vehicles used. The public can often be our eyes and ears and we value the part they play in helping us to tackle fly-tipping in the Borough.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s one bin bag dumped in a grass verge or large quantities of waste scattered across a back lane, it is a criminal offence and we will not tolerate it.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident, or to report environmental problems such as fly tipping, dog fouling and abandoned waste, can call the Council’s Customer Contact Centre on (0191) 427 7000 or email [email protected]

Residents are assured that calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.

For further information about disposing waste safely and responsibly visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling

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