Norwich: Mile Cross fly-tipping spate sees furniture dumped

Although complimentary of the action taken by Norwich City Council to remove incidents of fly-tipping when reported, prospective Green Party city council candidate for Mile Cross, Simon Allen, said that more needs to be done to prevent the issue in the first place.

"The big problem is that fly-tipping gets taken away from one area and within 48 hours, someone has dumped stuff there again - usually the same person," he explained.

Fly-tipped household items in Mile Cross, reported to Norwich City Council by Simon Allen (Image: Simon Allen)

"It's prolific. The cost of living is spiralling and if you want to get something like a sofa taken away it will cost you around £25.

"Some are then making the decision to dump their waste because of it.

A vacuum dumped on a grass verge in Mile Cross (Image: Simon Allen)

"And that in turn puts cost back on the council.

"The cost of bulky waste removal needs to be removed to help people get rid of stuff.

"You can see people, especially in Mile Cross, are struggling to get rid of waste properly.

A chair dumped ina trolley at crossroads in Mile Cross (Image: Simon Allen)

"It helps fuel the area's poor image."

Simon has reported the likes of sofas, mattresses, bikes and other bulky household waste items dumped on pavements and green spaces across the area.

Simon Allen with dumped crates by some bins in Mile Cross (Image: Simon Allen)

"People are very passionate about Mile Cross," he explained. "Many have lived there for generations - going back 20, 30, 40 years. There is a real sense of pride.

"But on the flip side, people are struggling to dispose of stuff properly - maybe they don't drive - or simply don't care.

An abandoned bike in Mile Cross (Image: Simon Allen)

"It's a multi-faceted issue.

"It also has an impact on the likes of birds and squirrels and other wildlife that contributes to the area's biodiversity.

"Neighbours are equally as upset as us and want the ongoing issue solved."

Dumped items on the pavement in Mile Cross (Image: Simon Allen)

Cllr Cate Oliver, portfolio holder for environmental services at Norwich City Council, said: "The city council launched its Love Norwich campaign late last year to tackle environmental crime.

Cllr Cate Oliver (Image: Norwich City Council)

"Councillors from all parties have been working together on this issue and any city councillors will know they can contact me directly with suggestions or concerns about fly-tipping in Norwich."

Fly-tipping can be reported at norwich.gov.uk/report.