Progress on action to tackle fly-tipping

We know that fly-tipping is not just an issue in our patch. There are several hotspots in the OMTRA area and many more across the Meadows. We were informed in April by councillor Michael Edwards that "Per capita there are more reports of instances of tipping in Meadows ward than any other ward - and by some margin".

But the junction of Glapton Road and Wilford Crescent has been a hotspot for years now with items being cleared by the council and more items being dumped the very same day. We have been campaigning for years for the police and the council to take action and warning signs went up earlier this year at that location and near the post box on Holgate Road (another hotspot). This seemed to have a positive effect in reducing dumping for several months but then someone decided to cut the sign down on Glapton Road.

We campaigned again for a new warning sign to replace it and it was reinstated. We have also been campaigning for actual cameras to go up. Finally, yesterday we were informed that one of the Meadows CPOs is doing the data protection document in preparation for a camera to go up on Glapton Road. This follows confirmation that the police / council are finally purchasing additional cameras, two of which have been said to be for overseeing sites of frequent tipping.

We will of course continue to campaign for more action to be taken on fly-tipping but we are encouraged by this progress.

It has not been easy to get action taken on fly-tipping and it has required a lot of persistence (OMTRA members' frequent reports of fly-tipping may have contributed to the Meadows having the most reports of any ward). Having witnessed and reported fly-tipping even as it was happening, the bar seems very high for the police to take action but it is a serious criminal offence for which offenders can be prosecuted and despite what we have been told at times, it is not just the council's responsibility. Fly-tipping is illegal dumping of liquid or solid waste on land or in water and the maximum fine for fly-tipping is £50,000.

The council of course are the ones to report tipping for clearance and you can do so using this form (which some of us in OMTRA have bookmarked!):

https://myaccount.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/en/service/report_fly_tipping_or_litter

We don't have capacity (or a mandate) to cover the whole of the Meadows but we are happy to share our experience with anyone that wants to take action as we have learned a lot over the years about what action can be taken and what works.