Lib Dems warn of fly-tipping tsunami if Sunderland bin change goes ahead

Liberal Democrat councillors in Sunderland are warning of a fly-tipping tsunami in back lanes across the city if Council plans to stop collecting bags of rubbish left next to wheelie bins get the go ahead next week.

Sunderland City Council bosses are planning to stop collecting bags of rubbish left alongside people's wheelie bins if the ruling cabinet agrees the proposals at a meeting next week (9th June).

Opposition Liberal Democrat councillors say the Council is behaving recklessly by not offering larger families bigger wheelie bins or employing more street cleaners and enforcement officers as part of the plan.

The party says that back lanes in inner city neighbourhoods like Millfield, Hendon and Southwick are already unacceptably dirty and full of rubbish - with these latest Council changes to bin collection rules only set to make the problem worse.

Commenting, Lib Dem councillor for Millfield and Thornhill Julia Potts said:

"It is clear to see from back lanes across the city that we have a serious problem with litter and fly-tipping. Things have got significantly worse since Sunderland Council axed vital street cleaning and enforcement staff several years ago. This latest plan beggars belief.

"However well intentioned the plan is, there is absolutely no mention in the proposals of hiring more street cleaning staff to deal with the inevitable impact. You don't need to be a genius to realise that not collecting bags of rubbish left next to bins will lead to more waste being left to rot or blow about in our back lanes.

"In addition, Sunderland Council bosses should urgently review their policy of who is eligible for bigger wheelie bins. Larger families and households already struggle to fit all their waste in the green wheelie bin even when they are recycling as much as they possibly can. The Council shouldn't make it impossible for bigger households to get rid of rubbish responsibly."