CPRE calls on council candidates to pledge to combat fly-tipping

Local election candidates should commit to “cleaning up Berkshire’s countryside” by getting tough on the growing problem of fly-tipping, according to the Berkshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

The environmental group is calling on election candidates to endorse CPRE’s manifesto and pledge that if elected they will ensure that action is taken to combat “the menace of litter and fly-tipping”.

CPRE Berkshire Chairman Greg Wilkinson says: “The dumping of large amounts of rubbish in our rural areas doesn’t just spoil the appearance of our countryside but is also a danger to wildlife and a hazard to human health. Not enough is being done to stop people fly-tipping or to deal with the rubbish that’s already been dumped.”

He adds: “We hope that all of Berkshire’s councils will follow the advice of CPRE and Keep Britain Tidy and focus on tackling fly-tipping at source, rather than allowing the problem to grow even bigger, in which case the cost of cleaning up the environment will be very much larger too.”

It is estimated by Keep Britain Tidy that more than two million pieces of litter are dropped in the UK every day and the national cost to taxpayers for street cleaning is over £1 billion a year. Last year, in West Berkshire alone, some 400 tonnes of litter were collected through litter-picking activities and from public litter bins (of which there are 600 across the district).

CPRE Berkshire recently issued a manifesto with a series of policies for a cleaner, greener countryside. “We are calling on all council candidates of all parties to sign up to our manifesto commitments which are vital to protect and enhance the green spaces, landscapes, villages and historic towns of the Royal County.”

The CPRE Berkshire Manifesto calls on election candidates to “acknowledge that the heritage of the Royal County of Berkshire is entrusted to us, and so  endeavour to protect all our precious countryside and open spaces, including the Green Belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so that it remains attractive and tranquil while preserving the integrity and character of our historic towns and villages.”

Candidates are urged to pledge to support the following policies:

• Halt the industrialisation of our hillsides and rural landscapes, in particular the construction of energy schemes that disfigure the countryside, are hazardous to wildlife and pose health risks to local communities; and by promoting roof-top renewable energy as a greener alternative wherever practicable.

• Aim for a cleaner environment in our Royal County by working in partnership with the water companies to stop the release of sewage into our rivers and streams, and by striving to eliminate littering and fly-tipping in our countryside.

• Maintain a strict ‘Brownfield First’ policy that focuses on regenerating previously developed land and encouraging sustainable high-density developments on brownfield urban sites.

• Meet genuine local housing needs in our towns and villages through the provision of well-designed, appropriately-sized, high-quality homes that local people can afford – including social housing for rent.

• Reduce traffic congestion by promoting sustainable transport, cycling and walking, and in particular by boosting investment in local bus services to end rural isolation and improve access to medical, leisure and retail facilities.

• Promote nature conservation, wildlife protection and biodiversity through policies that encourage sustainable farming and land-use, protect and promote hedgerows and ancient woodland, and fully recognise the crucial importance of the natural environment to our entire way of life.

• Enable people of all ages and abilities to stay healthy and enjoy our environment by reconnecting with nature in safe, accessible, local countryside, with well-maintained walking, cycling and horse-riding routes in every Berkshire district.

For further information on CPRE Berkshire’s campaigns, visit the group’s website: www.cpreberkshire.org.uk or follow the group on social media.

-ENDS