Scarborough councillor calls on county council to reopen tips to prevent fly-tipping

A Scarborough councillor has called on the county council to re-open tips in order to prevent a spike in fly-tipping.
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Cllr Rich Maw has written to North Yorkshire County Council chief executive Richard Flinton and MP Robert Goodwill saying that more and more people are asking him when they can go to recycling centres again.

Last week, the county council said its 21 recycling sites will remain closed until further notice despite the government giving councils the green light to bring them back into use where safe.

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Centres in the neighbouring East Riding area are due to open again from today (Monday).

Councillor Rich Maw. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard PonterCouncillor Rich Maw. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard Ponter
Councillor Rich Maw. Picture: JPI Media/ Richard Ponter

Cllr Maw, who represents Labour in the Weaponness and Ramshill ward on the borough council, said a lot of people had been asking him why they couldn’t go to the Household Waste Recycling Centres in Scarborough and Whitby.

In his letter to Mr Flinton, he wrote: “Please will you consider opening up the household recycling centres in our borough?

“I have spoken with many colleagues who are repeatedly receiving requests from our residents.

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“Fly-tipping in Weaponness and Ramshill has increased of late and I would suggest that this issue will doubtlessly be repeated throughout.

The household waste recycling centre on Burniston Road, Scarborough. Picture from Google Street View.The household waste recycling centre on Burniston Road, Scarborough. Picture from Google Street View.
The household waste recycling centre on Burniston Road, Scarborough. Picture from Google Street View.

“Any system which could allow for residents to use the recycling facilities would be welcome.”

Cllr Maw added that restrictions on the number of people and vehicles using the centres at any one time could be put in place to maintain social distancing.

In response, Ian Fielding, assistant director of Waste Management at North Yorkshire County Council, said that the authority would only reopen its tips when it was safe to do so.

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He said: “As it stands our household waste recycling centres remain closed for public safety and to cut non-essential travel but we will open them as soon as we can.

“The government are indicating that sites can reopen where they can be operated safely, and are preparing guidance for local authorities on how this might work in practice.

“We are considering how and when we might be able to open our sites, and operate them without putting staff or the public at risk.

“Before making a decision, we want to ensure that we have addressed all potential challenges regarding social distancing and traffic management but it is probable that not all sites will open initially, and it is likely that there will be significant restrictions on their use.

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“The choice to close was one we made together with almost every other council in England. We understand that our Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) are a popular and important service. We want to see them open and will do so as soon as possible.

“During this lockdown period we are asking people to minimise their waste as much as possible. For instance, please do not begin DIY or gardening projects if you don’t have space to store that waste until the HWRCs are able to reopen.”

“Do not be tempted to fly tip. It is an offence punishable by fines or imprisonment and offenders will be prosecuted.”

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