FLY TIPPING rocketed in the region during last year’s initial lockdown.
After dumps and recycling centres closed on March 23 2020, an increase in the number of reported sightings of household waste, old appliances and furniture illegally left by roadsides was noted.
A freedom of information request to Dumfries and Galloway Council has now revealed the extent of the problem, which surged in April, May and June whilst the strictest measures were in place.
The lowest number of fly tipping reports received by the council in a month (10) was recorded in March as the country was first locked-down. April’s figures show incidents then increased almost sevenfold to 68 – with the same number subsequently recorded for May.
The UK Government’s Environment Secretary, George Eustace, announced that taking rubbish to official dumps would be deemed essential travel in England from April 30, however, the Scottish administration didn’t lift restrictions north of the border until June, when incidents peaked locally at 79 – representing a 690 per cent increase since waste and recycling centres had last been open to the public.
Fly tipping across the region dropped by 22 per cent in July, with 61 incidents recorded as the five-mile travel restriction was relaxed and more tips became operational again.
Rates fluctuated between August and October before dropping again and levelling-out toward the end of the year, returning pre-lockdown levels in December. Despite renewed restrictions and the introduction of the five-level system in Scotland, another spike did not occur, with waste and recycling services this time deemed essential.
Nithsdale was revealed as the region’s most prolific fly tipping area last year, with more than a third of the region’s 602 incidents reported there, followed by Annandale and Eskdale where 158 lots of junk were illegally dumped. Furthermore, Stewartry recorded 140 incidents and Wigtown had 86.
When the spike in reports was first reported last year, Annandale North Councillor Adam Wilson said: “It is disappointing to see people move to dump rubbish during this current Covid-19 pandemic. I would ask that people refrain from fly tipping and not destroy our beautiful countryside.”
A council spokesman maintained that fly tipping is “irresponsible,” and pulls vital resources away from the local authority.
They added: “Regular household waste collections are continuing to be made each week throughout the region. We urge people to use those to dispose of appropriate waste and not fly-tip.
“To report fly tipping email [email protected] or call 030 33 33 3000 and provide as many details as possible.”
