A campaign to tackle flytipping is enjoying its first successes thanks to the support of residents in two East Durham villages.
District of Easington Council launched the crackdown at the end of last month in a bid to reduce the £90,000 annual bill it receives for dealing with the problem.
As part of the campaign, skips are being sited at flytipping hotspots throughout the district for residents to dump their waste.
In just one day, residents of Hillsyde Crescent, Thornley and the surrounding area filled three skips while two skips of waste were removed from Beachdale Close, Station Town.
Ian Hoult, Environmental Services Manager, said: “We would like to thank the residents of Thornley and Station Town for their support.
“Each year, flytipping costs the district council tens of thousands of pounds, we’re therefore reminding people that flytipping is an offence, that there is no excuse for dumping rubbish and that we will fine and prosecute anyone who fails to abide by the law.”
The Pride in Easington-backed campaign will also see the council’s environmental wardens carrying out regular stop and search checks on vehicles they suspect may be carrying unauthorised waste and posters and leaflets being distributed around the district warning of the penalties of being caught flytipping.
Letters have also been sent to hundreds of businesses around the area outlining their legal obligation to ensure waste is stored and disposed of correctly.
News article created on the 09 May 2008