Middlefields lockdown limits having 'definite impact' on fly-tipping levels in South Tyneside

Since reopening in May, a raft of measures have been introduced at the borough’s tip to manage demand and make the site safe for customers during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the site is yet to return to pre-lockdown rules with vans still banned from entering and depositing waste.

This week, councillors heard there had been an increase in fly-tipping during lockdown.

While housing bosses admitted the reopening of Middlefields had played a part in tackling the issue, they maintained reduced services were still having an impact.

“I’m sure these changes definitely are having an impact, I don’t see unfortunately that that is going to change anytime soon,” said Esther Windass, South Tyneside Homes area manager.

“We just hope that people can be responsible enough to dispose of items in the correct way.”

The housing officer was speaking at a meeting of West Shields, Cleadon and East Boldon Community Area Forum, which was held via videolink and broadcast on YouTube.

She was responding to Cllr Joe Amar who said fly-tipping issues and reduced services at Middlefields went hand in hand.

“I think a big problem of the fly-tipping with these larger items is that Middlefields were, or are, only allowing cars into the site instead of the usual vans as well,” he said.

Cllr Joan Atkinson, cabinet member for area management and community safety, said recycling centres had to be coordinated with other councils in the region.

But she did not rule out vans returning to Middlefields at “some point in the near future.”

“The service at Middlefields obviously had to be managed very very carefully, not the least when we consider how close we are to neighbouring authorities,” she said.

“It’s about having something which is coordinated with our neighbouring authorities so if we’re offering a different service to our neighbours, that we aren’t inundated with say vans from the likes of Sunderland or Gateshead.”

She added: “It is all tightly coordinated, I’m hopeful that because we have done such a good job at Middlefields in terms of keeping queues so that they don’t block the highway, that we can then look forward to introducing vans at some point in the near future all being well.

“But it is something that is looked at weekly with myself and the lead officer.”

Earlier in the meeting, Cllr Doreen Purvis added she had received reports of fly-tipping “emanating” from the Holder House Allotments.

This included claims that some allotments were being used to store building materials rather than for cultivation.

Cllr Atkinson agreed the reports should be “investigated and attended to.”

For more information on services at Middlefields Recycling Village, visit: www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/33365