Call for cameras to catch Wigan fly-tippers

Bryn councillor Steve Jones is calling for CCTV cameras to be installed in rubbish hotspots to catch tippers in the act.

He raised the alarm after the household and trade rubbish was found around Bryn Rec and Drummers Lane.

One resident also reported seeing rubbish being dumped out of a white Ford Transit van on Brocstedes Road.

They said it had been left all across the road and subsequently removed but more was then dumped on the next bend.

Coun Jones said he has reported the incidents to the council and contacted them regarding having more CCTV.

Coun Jones said: “I’ve reported both these and offered to remove it myself. If there is a delay with the council to help out using our company van at Bryn Support Centre.

“If anyone has any information on who may have done this please get in touch.

“I am speaking wit the council regarding getting more CCTV around these hot spots. Thank you to everyone for reporting this to me.”

It comes amid similar concerns raised by Hindley councillor, Coun John Vickers, about a “significant increase” in fly-tipping on Coupland Road in recent weeks.

He said that people living in the area are “sick and tired of inconsiderate people” who drive to the location and dump whatever they want.

This has prompted him to put in a request to council officers for CCTV to be put up on the road.

Paul Barton, the council’s director for environment, said: “Wigan Council has a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping. To tackle environmental crimes we have made investments in staffing and technology with lots of hard work on the ground to investigate perpetrators.

“We re-affirmed our strong response to fly-tipping by announcing an increase in fines for those who flout the law last year. The council will continue to respond with the right level of deterrent balanced with the right level of education to ensure responsible use of our built up or natural environments.

“We have been working hard to raise awareness of the broad range of materials that can be recycled and reminding residents of the simple steps they can take such as checking licences and using reputable waste removal companies through our Good Trader Scheme.

“Do not be tempted to use people online who offer to take your rubbish for you and have no waste carriers licence - anyone found to do so will also be culpable and face possible prosecution.

“We encourage anybody who witnesses littering or fly-tipping to report it to us with as much information as possible so we can take action.”

The Wigan Observer and Wigan Post are more reliant than ever on your taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. For unlimited access to Wigan news and information online, you can subscribe here.