Two Ashington men who fly-tipped waste have been brought to justice following an investigation by the environmental enforcement team at Northumberland County Council.
The Colliery Rows and surrounding streets of Ashington have a high level of fly-tipping incidents, mainly of household waste being dumped in the rear lanes or on areas of spare ground.
On Friday 17 December 2021, Thomas McMillan, 29, of Castle Square, Ashington and Thomas Aarron Smith, 24, of Maple Street, Ashington appeared before Newcastle Magistrates for separate prosecutions and were ordered to pay a total of £1,399 after they pleaded guilty to two offences of fly-tipping in Ashington.
On 20th November 2020 the County Council received a report of a fly tipping incident on North View, at the rear of the former YMCA, of a quantity of mixed household waste.
Magistrates fined McMillan £320 for the offence, ordered him to pay £100 in costs and a victim surcharge of £34 making a total financial penalty of £454.
On 14th January 2021 Northumberland County Council received a report of a fly tipping incident on Rosalind Street of a quantity of old wardrobes.
Magistrates fined Smith £480 for the offence, ordered him to pay £417 in costs and a victim surcharge of £48 making a total financial penalty of £945.
The council deals with more than 40 incidents of fly tipping a week in the Ashington area alone which is very costly to clean up.
Councillor Colin Horncastle, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “There are so many ways to get rid of waste responsibly and I am pleased the vast majority of our residents, who have pride in our communities, do so.
“There are free facilities at Northumberland’s household recycling centres for the disposal of household waste and we operate a household garden waste collection service and a bulky waste collection service for a small fee.
“No matter what the waste, or the reasons behind it, fly tipping will never be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly by the council and all residents need to understand that they are personally responsible for ensuring that all waste is disposed of both correctly and legally.
"I would also actively encourage anyone who witnesses fly tipping to report this to the council.”
Councillor Mark Purvis, Business Chair of Ashington Town Council, said: “We know that litter and fly tipping in the town annoys many residents.
"Ashington Town Council works in partnership with Northumberland County Council to combat fly-tipping and address enforcement issues. The people of Ashington pay for this service and deserve to see cleaner streets as a result. The message is clear, fly-tipping will not be tolerated, and offenders will be prosecuted.”