Gloucestershire Council apology over Quedgeley fly-tipping delays

Fly-tipped rubbish has littered a popular dog walking route in Quedgeley since last summer

Gloucester City Council has apologised over delays in removing fly-tipped rubbish which has littered a popular walking route in Quedgeley since last summer.

Residents of Saddlers Road said they have had to put up with the rubbish which had attracted rats to the area.

One resident said they had complained to the council every other week but the authority had done "nothing about it".

A spokesperson for the council said they took fly-tipping very seriously.

The waste is now collecting dog poo, cans of alcohol and fungi, a resident said

"The waste has been there since last summer collecting dog poo, cans of alcohol, fungi and unfortunately there are now rats in the area," a neighbour said.

The resident said they first contacted Quedgeley Town Council in October and November last year, but they forwarded them onto Gloucester City Council in January.

"Environmental crime has been dealing with this since the beginning of February and I was previously advised that if they can't find any evidence of who dumped it then the waste would be removed regardless."

"The waste is still there and I feel that I am making no progress with what I consider to be a health risk", the resident added.

A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council apologised and said it took fly-tipping "very seriously" and was "an unacceptable blight on people's lives."

"We apologise for the delay in removing this waste. It is now being dealt with as a priority and will be removed as soon as possible," they said.

"Our Enviro-crime team responds to any reports of fly-tipping and carries out preventative engagement work to reduce waste-related issues.

"Where problems persist the team issues fixed penalty notices and prosecutions are made if they are not paid."

Fly-tipping is a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months' imprisonment if convicted in a Magistrates' Court, Gloucester City Council said.