HOUSING association River Clyde Homes has hit out at fly-tippers after it had to spend a five-figure sum installing fencing along two Inverclyde streets.
The barriers have been put up along Parkhill Avenue, Port Glasgow and Woodstock Road, Greenock in a bid to combat “ongoing and extensive fly-tipping”.
River Clyde Homes stated: “This highlights an ongoing critical and costly problem for both our organisation, and for Inverclyde Council.
“While the fencing is a necessary response, the fact that we’ve had to resort to such measures is a clear indication of a deeper issue. The five-figure cost for this intervention is a massive drain on resources that could have been used to improve our housing stock and communities.
“Our primary goal is to provide quality homes and a safe environment for our tenants, and fly-tipping directly undermines this. The illegal dumping of waste, from a single bag of rubbish to large items like sofas and refrigerators, forces us to spend significant sums of money on clean-up operations which is a substantial drain on our budget.
“Money spent on clearing fly-tipped waste is money we cannot then invest in vital services for our tenants, such as property upgrades and maintenance. This includes things like new kitchens, bathrooms, and roof repairs. We’d rather be funding estate improvements or initiatives that build stronger, healthier communities.
“The presence of unsightly rubbish also affects the quality of life for our residents. It can attract vermin, create fire hazards, and make communal areas unsafe and unhygienic.
“Fly-tipping is not just our problem, it’s an Inverclyde-wide issue. Inverclyde Council’s Environmental and Public Protection Service has the power to investigate incidents and issue fixed penalty notices for illegal dumping.
“However, the sheer volume of fly-tipping incidents places a heavy burden on their resources as well. While the council is responsible for clearing waste from public land, the interconnected nature of our communities means this issue affects everyone.
“We are actively working with Inverclyde Council’s environmental enforcement team to address this problem. The council offers services like recycling centres and a bulky uplift service for a fee, but a selfish minority continue to choose the illegal, environmentally damaging option. Their actions not only cost our respective organisations, but also spoil our shared environment for the majority of responsible residents.”
Tenants and residents are urged to be vigilant and report fly-tipping incidents to the council via an online form.
