6,400 instances of fly-tipping were recorded in Lanarkshire last year, according to “alarming figures” obtained by the Scottish Conservatives.
Responses from North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council to Freedom of Information requests reveal the true scale of a problem which “blights our region’s landscape”.
This follows data collated from 30 of the 32 local authorities, which shows 60,405 fly-tipping cases were recorded in Scotland in 2022. Glasgow City Council accounted for the highest number of these – with 19,313 cases recorded.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, says the figures underline why new legislation is needed to “tackle the growing scourge” in Lanarkshire’s communities.
A bill – which is being brought forward by Mr Simpson’s Scottish Conservative colleague Murdo Fraser MSP – has already received support from key stakeholders such as Scottish Land & Estates and is now set to come before Parliament.
It aims to improve the current laws around fly-tipping by ensuring that there is better data collection, reporting mechanisms and increased and standardised sanctions.
Mr Simpson has called on the Scottish Government to give this “non-party political bill” their full support as it progresses to the next stage.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson said: “It is clear from these alarming figures that robust, new fly-tipping legislation is urgently needed.
“Fly-tipping creates huge environmental damage across Lanarkshire and Scotland - blighting our region’s landscape in both rural and urban areas.
“The irresponsible, destructive, and criminal dumping of refuse and waste at unauthorised locations leaves landowners and public authorities with the substantial costs of cleaning up.
“Such incidents – often carried out by organised crime gangs – are clearly on the increase in Lanarkshire, so it’s important legislation is introduced as soon as possible.
“Murdo Fraser’s bill is not party-political, but a common-sense piece of legislation that will help to tackle a growing scourge in our communities and I hope the Scottish Government can offer their full support as it progresses”.
