Businesses call for tougher action on fly-tipping in Scunthorpe
Councillors say dumped waste, mattresses and used needles are creating health risks and damaging confidence in the area.
Businesses in Scunthorpe are calling for stronger action to tackle fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour, warning hazardous waste is creating an unwelcoming environment in parts of the town centre.
Labour councillors Lorraine Yeadon and Mashook Ali say traders near the High Street and Oswald Road have raised concerns about increasing amounts of dumped rubbish, including mattresses, drug paraphernalia and used needles.
They want bulky and hazardous waste to be removed more quickly when it's reported, alongside increased monitoring, tougher enforcement and closer working between the council, police and local businesses.
The councillors say CCTV installed near Scunthorpe Museum has helped reduce drug-related activity and anti-social behaviour in that area and believe similar long-term measures should be rolled out more widely.
Their comments follow a major community clean-up in early June, organised by Humberside Police, ONGO, Scunthorpe Litter Pickers and North Lincolnshire Council officers, after significant fly-tipping problems in the Home Zone area.
Council leader Rob Waltham says the authority operates a "zero-tolerance approach" to illegal dumping and has successfully prosecuted offenders.
He says this year's council budget includes investment in CCTV at hotspot locations, upgraded cameras, gating problem areas and stronger anti-social behaviour case reviews.
Councillor Waltham added that there are "very few legitimate excuses" for fly-tipping, with household recycling centres and bulky waste collections already available, but acknowledged there is "no quick fix" to problems that have built up over many years.