“LAZY and ignorant” fly-tippers have been warned they face prosecution if they use a recycling centre as a dumping ground.

Barrow Borough Council says there is a persistent problem with fly-tipping next to the recycling bins in the Park Leisure car park, with residents dumping inflatable swimming pools, tents, barbecues, television aerials and even a satellite dish.

This comes just weeks after it was revealed that cash-strapped councils in Cumbria have forked out almost £200,000 last year alone on cleaning up after fly-tippers in the county.


Nick Christofides Nick Christofides, a Streetcare officer, said that the fly-tipping issues in Barrow have been been a problem in the borough for years.

And he added: “Things don’t seem to be improving despite the signs and warnings that are issued.

“What I need to stress the most is that this is not an amenities site, this is just for recycling and I will not hesitate to prosecute anyone I find fly-tipping.”

According to new figures from Defra there were 1,377 incidents in the Barrow borough last year, which cost the council £73,353 to clean up.

On Tuesday last week Mr Christofides had to deal with what he described as one of the worst cases of fly-tipping he had seen at Egerton Court, Barrow.

A mountain of rubbish, which included sofas, tables, televisions and cupboards, was left at the side of the road.

Mr Christofides said: “We get a lot of fly-tipping at Egerton Court but not to that extent.

“We were very shocked by the amount – it weighed in at two and a half tonnes and took eight men to clear it. I’m sure people can imagine just how much that would have cost.”

And he had a blunt message for people who turn up to the recycling centre only to find that the bins are full.

He said: “If you show up with bags for recycling and the bins are full, then put the bags back in your car and take them home.

“Come back another day. Don’t just dump them.

“I have watched people do this and when I have approached them they have said that they didn’t know. This is not an excuse.

“Taxpayers’ money is being wasted every time Biffa has to come out and clean up the fly tipping.

“By fly-tipping, you are being lazy, ignorant and taking the easy way out.”

Mr Christofides and the Streetcare team are investigating the fly-tipping incident at Egerton Court and are urging people with information to come forward by contacting them on either 01229 876319 or 01229 876330.