COUNCILLORS in Abersychan have spoken out on the worsening issue of fly-tipping in the town and the need for something to be done.

Mayor of Torfaen Cllr Giles Davies is is calling for councils to be given greater authority to use surveillance methods to try to deal with the issue.

Just last week Cllr Davies was litter picking when he came across a used nappy, dog mess bags left near the bin as well as rubbish and old clothes left scattered around the town's bins.

He said: “We are all getting really cheesed off with the fly-tipping. It seems to be that people from other areas are coming to tip their rubbish and use areas around Abersychan as a dumping ground. It’s ridiculous.

“When I walk the main roads I see people dump their rubbish and I just think why do it. They are ruining the area for everyone else.

Both Cllr Davies and fellow the executive member for housing and planning Gwyneira Clark believe that the council is restricted in its ability to handle the problem on some sites like at British which are privately owned.

Cllr Clark said: “Fly tipping is mainly on The British, which is the main problem for runners, walkers and cyclists going around there.

"It is not the council’s fault as the land is under private ownership so we cannot act and the people know that.

“It is down to the landowners to deal with the rubbish and it’s more often that they won’t. The council is restrained but hopefully we will get something done.”

Cllr Davies believes the issue has spread into areas of Abersychan high street and the council should be able to take a harder line, calling for either ‘surveillance powers’ or an increase in man power who can ‘issue fines’.

Cllr Davies added: “We did a big clean up Foundry Road to the Big Arch, the place looked picturesque, and you could take a picture. Then I saw a car of youths throw rubbish out the window and it’s so disheartening.”

A Torfaen council spokesman said: “Fly tipping at the British affects land within both the Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent council areas. Every incident is investigated and together with our colleagues at Blaenau Gwent council we do our best to prosecute those responsible, wherever they are from.”

Land owners HSBC were approached but declined to comment.