What a dump! (From Free Press Series)

What a dump!

A LOCAL campaigner says he is giving up the battle to stop the land around his home becoming a rubbish tip.

Trevor Shankland is treasurer and secretary of the Penygarn and St Cadocs Residents' Association

He's decided to stop the series of voluntary clean-ups he's been carrying out - unless other people in the area stop fly-tipping.

Along with a band of volunteers, he's been filling skips with rubbish in a vain attempt to clear up the area at the rear of the Woodlands.

Since starting the skip scheme in August last year, residents have filled eight skips which were loaned to them by the environmental charity BTCV.

The first clear-up, aided by a troupe of local youngsters, was featured in the Free Press.

But now Mr Shankland says they are fed up of doing all the work - and then watching it get spoiled again.

"As soon as we clear the rubbish away a new load is dumped. There are toys, doors, beds - there were five washing machines at the back of my house," he said.

"We're trying to get things done in the area. But when some residents do this you just feel you're fighting a losing battle. I'm not volunteering to do it anymore.

"The council sent out letters to residents asking them not to dump their rubbish. I know people's tenancy agreements say they could be evicted for dumping.

"But the council's housing department isn't enforcing that threat."

Now a permanent solution to the problem could be in sight. The council says it intends to put the area on a regular clean-up route.

Councillor John Cunningham, Executive Member for Operational Services, said: "This area has a problem with fly-tipping which is spoiling it for local residents. We are currently working with the Housing department to clear the area up and get it on a regular maintenance contract. We would ask local residents to contact us if they have any evidence of people fly-tipping."