Fly-Tipping Taskforce To Crackdown on Ealing Offenders

After figures reveal an increase of 216% over last three months

Ealing Council is to create a new task force to crack down on those dumping rubbish illegally in public spaces after figures revealed that flytipping has increased by 216% since the new waste management system was introduced.

Between September 2015 and August 2016, there were 8,918 reports of fly tipping recorded by Ealing Council, compared with 5,688 for the previous year. This represents a 56% increase overall. In June, the council introduced an alternate weekly collection service and reduced full street cleaning to only once every six weeks.  Fly tipping increased by 216%

Conservative Cllr Gregory Stafford, Opposition Leader said, "To see that fly tipping has increased by 216% in only 3 months since the start of the new alternate weekly collection service and the massive reduction in street cleaning, is staggering but not surprising.  Everyone except the Labour Councillors could see that these changes would result in increased fly tipping. 

''Ealing used to known for its clean streets and as a pleasant place to live.  It is such a pity that since Labour took control in 2010, it is being ruined by dirty streets and dumped rubbish. The Queen of the Suburbs reduced to the Lord of the Flies!"

The council says it has been tackling the problem through a mixed approach of giving thousands of residents one-to-one advice and support on the doorstep on how to use their new wheelie bins, alongside tough enforcement.

(flytip on private land near Hanger Lane: photo courtesy Henry Pycz)

New ‘enforcement’ trucks will collect fly-tipped rubbish from the most severely affected areas, and will be manned by waste teams and environmental enforcement officers. The trucks are marked with posters warning people they face fines of up to £400.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for environment, transport and leisure, and Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, saw at first hand the amount of rubbish that regularly gets illegally dumped.

Councillor Mahfouz, said: “The vast majority of residents dispose of their waste appropriately and legally. Like me, they are disgusted when they see a disrespectful minority fly-tip on our streets.

“There is never any excuse for disposing of rubbish illegally. It’s disgusting, an eye sore and dangerous. We’re cracking down on those who deliberately dirty our neighbourhoods by coming down on them hard. Let me send a clear message to anyone who feels they can dump rubbish on Ealing’s streets. We will find you and we will fine you.”

Council Leader, Councillor Julian Bell, added: “These new trucks and our enforcement staff are helping to tackle the worst examples of fly-tipping in the borough. We are determined to prosecute anyone who persists in illegally dumping their rubbish on our streets.”

To report fly-tipped rubbish or anyone fly-tipping visit www.ealing.gov.uk/reportit or call the dedicated hotline on 020 8825 8825.

22nd September 2016 (updated/corrected)