FOI request reveals the area is the worst affected in Cardiff for fly-tipping – for the third year
GRANGETOWN is the worst affected ward for fly-tipping for the third year in a row, according to a Freedom of Information request submitted by The Cardiffian.
The data shows there is an overall increase in fly-tipping offences across Cardiff, but Grangetown is by far the worst.
In the nine months from April 2021to January 2022, there were 62 fly- tipping offences in Grangetown. That is nearly twice as much as Splott, the second worst affected area, with 32 cases in 2021-2022.
Grangetown overtook Riverside, which was the worst affected ward in 2018–2019, but had 42 cases at the latest count. Riverside is now the fourth worst affected area in Cardiff.
To analyse this data effectively, it is important to consider population size. Grangetown has a population of around 22,239, the largest in Cardiff.
“We know that the enforcement officers go through everything that is fly- tipped and they look for anything that can identify the culprit. They do a very good job. But I think the whole structure needs looking at,” said Fiona McAllister, organiser of the Keep Grangetown Tidy group.
Ms McAllister thinks Grangetown is so bad because of a combination of unethical landlords getting rid of old furniture between tenants, restricted access to vehicle-only recycling centres, and people not knowing that the council collect household bulky items, free for a lot of items.
Fly-tipping can incur a fine of up to £400 and using an unlicensed removal service could also lead to fines if your rubbish is found fly tipped.
“It is really unsanitary; I’ve had rats in my garden a lot. I’ve had to pay the council to come and do pest control twice in 12 months. And yet, I still have rats coming back. I think the people who are fly-tipping are massively contributing to the problem,” said Marie Jezequel, 34, of Clive Street.
“If I could afford to move, I would,” she added.
Ms McAllister says the system must be changed to address Grangetown’s long-standing problem.
“Why don’t the recycling centres have a date every month when pedestrians can come and get rid of their waste? Or perhaps the council should introduce a community skip in different areas each month, with a couple of members of staff to make sure the services are not getting abused.”
“It’s better to do that than having to go out endlessly to clean up the rubbish,” she said.
- If you have household waste to dispose of, you can book a council collection slot here, or take it to your nearest waste centre if you have a vehicle.
