Concerns raised by Lemington’s Labour councillors over fly-tipping in the ward have been followed by successful enforcement action against an illegal waste operator responsible for dumping rubbish on Riverside Way.
Newcastle’s Labour-led council has successfully prosecuted the offender after sofas, wood, broken furniture and cardboard were illegally dumped on Riverside Way in Lemington.
Lemington’s Labour councillors had raised concerns about fly-tipping locally and pressed for action to tackle dumping and keep the ward’s streets and open spaces clean.
The council’s environmental protection team investigated the Riverside Way incident as part of inquiries into three separate fly-tips across Newcastle.
Officers traced the waste back to the offender, along with rubbish dumped at Strathmore Crescent in North Benwell and close to North Walbottle Road.
Working with the police, council officers also seized the white Ford Transit van being used by the offender.
Ian Wilkinson, of Cragston Avenue in Blakelaw, pleaded guilty to three counts of depositing waste on land without an environmental permit and one count of transporting waste without being registered as a waste carrier.
Appearing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on 18 January, he was handed a 12-month community order requiring him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £981.11 in prosecution and compensation costs.
The successful prosecution follows concerns raised by Labour councillors in Lemington about waste being illegally dumped in the ward and demonstrates the action that can be taken when local concerns are followed up through council enforcement.
Cllr Barry Phillipson said: “Fly-tipping is a deeply selfish act that blights our beautiful communities and can cost the taxpayer money.
“Nobody deserves to have waste and filth strewn across their streets and green spaces, simply because one individual thought they could make a quick profit.
“I am pleased with the court’s decision and I hope this acts as a deterrent to others.”
Lemington’s Labour councillors will continue to raise incidents reported by residents, press for dumped waste to be removed and support enforcement action against those responsible.
Residents are also being reminded to check that anyone they pay to remove household waste is registered with the Environment Agency as an authorised waste carrier.