National Park Authority takes action against fly-tipping
A £200 fly-tipping notice has been issued and paid after a fly-tipping incident which saw a three piece suite and other household items dumped by a road in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
The National Park Authority are reminding members of the public and businesses that fly- tipping is a criminal offence after taking enforcement action following the fly-tipping incident near Port of Menteith earlier this year.
National Park Rangers discovered a large amount of household items, including a three piece suite dumped in a layby near the Port of Menteith in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Following a joint investigation between the National Park Authority and Stirling Council, the person responsible was identified and issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for £200.
Chief Executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Gordon Watson, said: “It is always disappointing to see this sort of reckless and damaging behaviour in the National Park. Fly-tipping is a criminal act that threatens wildlife and does significant damage to habitats and to the local communities whose economies rely heavily on tourism.
“On this occasion we were able to initiate legal proceedings due to the hard work and determination of National Park staff and Stirling Council to track down the person responsible.
“The majority of people who live in and work in the National Park dispose of their litter responsibly; however we would encourage anyone who witnesses fly-tipping to report it as soon as possible to help us protect this special place for everyone to enjoy.”
Fly- tipping not only spoils the spectacular landscape and views of the area; it is also costly to clean up and a drain on tax payers money.
Councillor Jim Thomson, Stirling’s convenor for Environment and Housing, said: “We greatly appreciated the opportunity to work jointly with the National Park Authority and Police Scotland in combating the serious issues surrounding fly-tipping in the National Park and greater Stirling area.
“Fly-tipping is a serious blight on our beautiful country and has cost implications not only for the environment but for all Stirling’s council tax payers for cleaning it up.
“We would encourage anyone who witnesses fly tipping to report it and help reduce the impact it has on our wonderful landscape.”
The illegal disposal of waste can be hazardous not only to wildlife but to people’s health and carries up to a £40,000 fine if you are prosecuted.
Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, Derek Robertson said: “It is completely unacceptable that selfish individuals think it is OK to dump their unwanted items in our beautiful National Park. Our research confirms that there are more than 60,000 incidents of fly-tipping in Scotland every year; that’s almost 170 every single day, and that’s just the incidences which are reported.
“Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime. It is estimated that it costs council tax payers more than £8.9 million every year to clear up fly-tipping which is money that could clearly be spent on better things. I wholeheartedly support and congratulate the efforts of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and Stirling Council to prosecute those that ignore the law. It is important to send a clear message to everyone that this environmental crime will not be tolerated”
If you see anyone fly-tipping, please call the Dumb Dumpers Stop Line on 0845 2 30 40 90 or visit www.dumbdumpers.org.