Anger at ‘shocking’ state of fly-tipping on Chesterfield river bank

Pictures show the piles of rubbish which are strewn along the banks of the River Rother close to Holbeck Close, just off Brimington Road, in Tapton.

The section of river is surrounded by industrial units and much of it can only be accessed by pedestrians.

Resident Paul Heathcote spotted the discarded items and said he finds it ‘shocking’ whenever he walks or cycles by.

He said: “Unfortunately at the Chesterfield end the banking near the garage ‘CMS Commercials’ on the corner that backs onto the river is littered with car parts, tyres, oils and paints, seeping into the river and a great amount of trash just dumped down the banking. I find it a shocking state everytime I walk [or] cycle past.

"It’s about time the environmental department paid a visit and made them clear it up.”

It is not clear who is responsible for dumping the items, but officers from nearby Staveley Neighbourhood Safer Neighbourhood Team recently revealed there has been an increase in fly-tipping during lockdown.

A number of litter picking groups have recently been set up in Chesterfield to combat the rise in fly-tipping, such as the Staveley and Lowgates Litter Picking Group which was founded in January, after residents noticed a significant amount of rubbish while out and about.

A spokesperson for Chesterfield Borough Council said the incident near Brimington Road was being investigated and will be cleaned up.

“We won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour, which shows a total lack of regard for our borough and the people who live, work and visit here. We will take action against those responsible, and ask for the public’s help in reporting incidents or coming forward with any information.

“We all have a part to play in helping to keep our area clean and attractive, and we remind residents that they also have a responsibility for how their household waste is disposed of – people should only use responsible waste disposal providers. In doing so this will help limit fly tipping across our borough.”

Fly-tipping can be reported via My Chesterfield at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/mychesterfield

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