Glasgow Tories launch campaign calling on council chiefs to reinstate bulk uplifts amid fly tipping crisis

The service was earlier suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The local Conservative group are now calling on the authority not only to restore the service, but to scrap planned bulk uplift charges and take action against fly tipping.

READ MORE: Nethercairn Road: Fears abandoned rubbish pile in Mansewood is 'getting bigger by the day'

The group have said the petition follows examples across Glasgow, where streets have been seen "covered in dump waste" while Glasgow City Council "have refused to commit to the swift return of the bulk service".

Over the past five months residents and local representatives across Glasgow have raised concerns over the extent of fly-tipping since the coronavirus lockdown.

One incident included specialist environment officers being deployed to a site in Drumchapel in July after it became a hotspot for tyre dumping.

Residents spoke of "constant fear"of the emissions the tyres would give off if the was set alight.

READ MORE: Drumchapel fly tipping hotspot plagued by massive tyre dump

The most recent fly-tipping incident reported to the Glasgow Times included local Scottish Green councillor Allan Young calling on residents in the South Side to report fly tipping and dumping in Plantation Park, after a build up of rubbish blighted the area.

Glasgow Conservatives are now concerned that if plans to charge for bulk uplifts go through this year that the same issues with flytipping seen during lockdown will repeat themselves.

READ MORE: Govan Councillor urges residents to report fly tipping at Plantation Park

Glasgow Conservative Environment Spokesperson, Councillor Kyle Thornton, said: “Residents across Glasgow have spent the last 5 months with bulk waste sitting in their gardens and back courts.

"We are concerned that the SNP-run council is taking little action to bring this service back after lockdown. That's why we've launched our #BringBackBulkUplift petition to push Glasgow City Council bosses to listen to people across Glasgow and restore the bulk uplift service, free of charge.

"We also want to see the proposed charges scrapped – it would be an insult to taxpayers when you've removed a service for months to then ask them to cough up to get it back."

Glasgow Conservative Group Leader, Councillor Thomas Kerr, said: “SNP politicians in Glasgow like to preach environmentalism but when push comes to shove they are all talk and no action.

"Since Susan Aitken’s administration took control, council tax has been raised every year while services are slashed. Glasgow is the best city in the world but SNP neglect has made many feel it is turning into a dumping ground.

READ OUR LATEST CASE STUDY ON RUBBISH CONCERNS HERE 

"That’s why we are asking people to stand up, sign our petition and tell the council enough is enough.”

The petition can be found here.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "We absolutely agree that fly-tippers deserve to be punished and we will pursue any evidence against those responsible.

“If people have evidence against those responsible for this blatant form of anti-social behaviour we urge them to contact our environmental health team, who can take appropriate action.

“Suspending bulk uplifts in March at the height of the Covid-19 crisis was necessary as it allowed us to focus on the services we are legally obliged to provide such as general waste and recycling collections.

“The controls designed to suppress the virus such as restrictions on staff within vehicles and offices have also been a significant challenge to delivering services during lockdown.

“Agreement between the various stakeholders has still to be confirmed on how more staff can safely travel within the same vehicle, which will increase our capacity to deliver non-statutory services such as bulk uplifts.

“But we are hopeful the bulk uplift service can resume in the very near future.

“We are very grateful for the patience shown by the vast majority of people who have worked with us throughout the pandemic and we have removed fly-tipping where ever possible.

“Many housing associations have also continued to dispose of large items appropriately on behalf of their residents and that has made a significant contribution to the city at a difficult time.

“Our Household waste recycling centres are now open seven days a week for Glasgow residents to dispose of large items in person.”