Council angers locals as little action taken over fly tipping

Waste issues have escalated along Hallowell Road as a standoff remains between the council and a block of flats along Green Lane. Local resident Dylan James contacted MyNorthwoodNews after reporting the initial dumping, which has now gone on for over two months. He claimed the building occupying the section between Central Way and Hallowell Road repeatedly left waste on the side of the road by Pizza Hut and in an alleyway. He said: “I have seen a steady decline in the area’s cleanliness since moving to Northwood just over two years ago. “There seems to have been a precedent set for everyone in this block to just dump their rubbish, no matter what it is, here without any consequences.” Mr James was initially reassured by the council that the anti-social behaviour had been reported on May 9. However, the dumping continued, forcing Mr James to contact the council again. Despite Cllr Scott-Seaman-Digby escalating the issue, no further action was taken by the council till community safety officer Faisal Said got in contact with Mr James on May 13, reassuring that the Waste Service Team were aware of the problem After a lengthy delay in communication, Mr Said said as the collection day was Monday he would monitor whether the bags were gone by Monday, July 4. Reacting to the latest developments, Mr James said: “I’m sick of it now, I feel like I’m living in a dump, I’m really holding my tongue here. Something drastic needs to be done, myself and other residents have had enough.” “Parents that drop their kids off to school at this spot were having to drop them off into the mess. It is disgusting, unsightly and unhygienic.” “Serious action needs to be taken, these tenants and landlords clearly don’t care.” The managing officer of the flats promised the council that he would speak to the tenants to ensure waste was placed outside within the required times for scheduled collections only. A communal bin was also proposed.