Stunell Fights Flytipping

8.50.07am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th May 2007

This week, Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell has stepped up his battle to get compensation for people who are victims of flytipping.

Commenting on his campaign, Mr Stunell said:

"Flytipping has become a never-ending nightmare for many people in Stockport. Selfish people dump their rubbish on other people's land, and then the landowner has to pay to dispose of it safely, sometimes costing hundreds of pounds. It simply isn't fair.

"I have quizzed the Minister on what he intends to do to stop illegal flytipping, and have demanded that he compensates the people who get lumbered with the costs.

"New research by the Countryside Alliance has highlighted the massive extent of the problem - there is a new incident of fly-tipping every 12 seconds but only 1 in 100 cases lead to a prosecution." ENDS

Notes to editors:

Mr Stunell has asked a series of Parliamentary Questions on the issue, and is supporting the following Parliamentary Motion:

That this House recognises the growing problem of fly-tipping and rubbish-dropping in the UK; notes that although made illegal through the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 the problem of fly-tipping persists; recognises that there is also a problem of street rubbish, including fast food and cigarette waste, which can lead to a decline in tourism and an increase in the presence of vermin on the streets; further notes that this is a problem that affects both the countryside and urbanised areas; is concerned at the amount of tax-payers' and land-owners' money that is wasted each year on clearing this rubbish; and calls upon the Government to step up its campaign against fly-tipping and street rubbish, including working with groups such as Keep Britain Tidy and the Countryside Alliance.