Preston and South Ribble is being plagued by fly-tipping with reports rapidly increasing since lockdown began.

With the county’s tips closed there has been rubbish left strewn across grassy areas and back alleys across the city and the wider South Ribble borough.

Advertisements

South Ribble Borough Council has issued a plea for residents not to burn household or garden waste as well as not resorting to fly-tipping.

The council say they have received an increase in complaints about both issues over the last couple of weeks, with a 50 per cent rise in fly-tipping reports.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s community protection manager Tom Cookson said: “We’re experiencing an increase in the number of rubbish fires we are being called to across the county. This is particularly dangerous amid an extended period of warm, dry weather when the risk of wildfires in increased.

“Please don’t be tempted to burn household rubbish or garden waste – fires can easily get out of control and spread to buildings, causing damage and potentially injury, and tie up firefighters who might be needed elsewhere.”

He added: “Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, like all public services, is working hard to ensure we’re able to support the people of Lancashire, respond to emergencies and keep communities safe during the coronavirus outbreak.

“Nuisance fires are frustrating to experience at any time but especially so now.

“Help us by composting what you can and holding on to any extra waste until you’re able to dispose of it properly.”

South Ribble’s cabinet member for environment councillor Susan Jones said: “In any situation fly tipping is unacceptable and even more so during the covid-19 efforts.

“Our waste teams are working around the clock doing all they can to ensure the borough’s bin collections continue to take place, and this is something they do not need right now.

“We understand the situation is not easy and with the decision to close the public tips, it is likely people will be having waste piling up between bin collections.

“We ask you to be patient. All the council’s bin services are running normally, including our garden waste collection scheme.

“It’s not ideal, but please store your waste safely until it is able to be collected by us. Do not burn your waste or fly-tip. We all have to make sacrifices.

“If you are causing smoke nuisance you could be liable for fine of up to £100 and the penalty for fly-tipping can be up to £400 per offence, and if taken to the Magistrates Court can lead to a penalty of up to £50,000 and or 12 months in prison.”

In the Preston City Council area the website FixMyStreet shows all fly-tipping reports.

Reports include a mattress and fridge dumped in an alleyway in De Lacy Street, Ashton-on-Ribble and rubbish strewn over a grassy area off Harden Road, Ribbleton.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines