Tories Give Green Light To Litter Bugs, Fly Tippers And Anti Social Behaviour

4.14.00pm GMT Wed 12th Jan 2005

Merthyr Liberal Democrats have criticised Conservative MPs who this week voted against giving local councils additional powers to tackle fly-tipping, litter, graffiti, fly-posting, dog fouling, nuisance noise and abandoned cars.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill will grant tough new powers to tackle litter bugs, fly-tippers, fly-posters and other types of antisocial and criminal behaviour that damage the environment.

"The Conservatives claim measures in the Government's Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill were unnecessary and the Bill focused "predominantly on urban areas". But these claims were undermined by the revelation that the Bill has received the backing of the National Farmers Union, as well as all three parties, including the Tories, at the Local Government Association", said Michael German, Lib Dem leader in the Welsh Assembly.

"The Conservatives have let down local residents and farmers suffering from fly tipping, graffiti and abandoned cars by failing to support this important Bill.

Ceirion Rees of Merthyr Liberal Democrats said, "This new law has our support. The Conservatives are completely wrong to reject this Bill, which will give much stronger protection to our countryside in Monmouthshire as well as urban areas. They clearly care little about farmers whose land is repeatedly used by fly-tippers. All the evidence that we have seen suggests that the penalties are not strong enough to deal with problems such as fly-tipping, graffiti and the sheer volume of rubbish on our streets

"Residents are telling us that the council is failing to get to grips with litter, dog fouling, graffiti and fly tipping. Councils need the tools and the powers to act. Why do the Conservatives try to block good ideas that would benefit our local communities?"

Michael German added, "The Conservatives have said they don't think the measures in the Bill are needed in rural areas like ours. This is an astonishing claim. Do they live in the real world? They clearly care little about farmers whose land is repeatedly used by fly-tippers. Here in Monmouthshire we've seen a rash of dumping"

"The Conservatives are rejecting an opportunity to provide much stronger environmental protection in both town and country. They do not understand the importance of a clean and safe local environment to the quality of people's lives."