RESIDENTS and community leaders have vented their frustration after statistics revealed flytipping has rocketed by more than a quarter in the past five years in Renfrewshire.

A Freedom of Information request from The Gazette to Renfrewshire Council showed there were more than 1,400 reports of flytipping last year, up from 1,124 in 2013.

And, as of September 11 this year, there had been almost 900 reported incidents across the area this year.

In Johnstone, reports of flytipping have increased by 13 per cent in the past five years – up from 184 in 2013 to 208 in 2017. 

The council said there had been 140 reports in the town this year by the start of September.

One of the worst-hit streets in the area over the past five years has been Auchenlodment Road in Elderslie, which currently sits in the top-10 worst sites for flytipping in Renfrewshire this year.

Jean Harper, who lives in Auchenlodment Road, said: “Someone just seems to have been in a car and dumped rubbish at the sides.

“I don’t know why they don’t just take it to the tip.

“I know the local schoolkids have been out to clear up rubbish around that area, but then rubbish has just appeared again, which is so disappointing when they have put so much work into making it look nice again.

“We try and set a good example for the children but the dumpers just come right back.

“People use the area quite a lot for dog walking.

“I really can’t understand the reason why people do it – and I’m not sure what the solution is.”

The worst road in Renfrewshire for flytipping so far this year has been Moss Road in Linwood, which has come as little surprise to residents as it has been in the top-10 worst streets every year since 2013.

As of the start of August, there has been 22 incidents of flytipping reported in the road – which is only three less than there reported in the whole of last year.

Linwood has also seen one of the biggest rises in flytipping in the past half a decade, with incidents rocketing up by 35% between 2013 and 2017. 

Councillor Alison Dowling, who represents Linwood, said: “There has been quite a lot of work done in Moss Road over the years to try and stop the flytipping which occurs.

“The council has tried to do things with the land layout and there have been lots of patrols out.

“There is a huge amount of disapproval for the amount of dumping which goes on as it is a popular area for dog walkers.

“I think it is commercial waste that is a big part of the problem.

“It really does spoil the appearance of the area. 

“I have been out there before and have seen chemical drums and all sorts. It’s clearly industrial waste a lot of the time.”

As of the start of September, there had been more than 70 reports of flytipping in Linwood, showing the town was well on its way to topping last year’s total of 95 reports.

In other areas, Renfrew saw an increase of 44% in flytipping between 2013 and 2017, with reported instances going from 118 to 170. 

There had been more than 100 reports by the beginning of September this year.

In Paisley, reports have gone up nearly 32% in the past five years, from 603 to 795, and there had been almost 500 at the start of September this year.

Erskine saw a rise of 23% in reports between 2013 and 2017, from 55 to 68, and there were more than 30 at the start of September.

Cllr Dowling said more funding needs to come from the Scottish Government so the council has more resources and a realistic chance of stopping the problem.

The Labour councillor added: “We can keep going back to the table but, at the end of the day, it goes back to the level of funding from the Scottish Government.

“There has to be a more honest conversation had between the council and the government.

“There is only so much the council can do with the massive savings it has got to make and all councils are in the same position.

“I think we could probably do more but so much does depend on the funding we receive.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We have given local authorities powers to fine fly-tippers, with a minimum fixed penalty of £200 up to a maximum fine of £40,000. Zero Waste Scotland's Flymapper system is a way for land managers to record, manage and report fly-tipping, making it easier to catch offenders and to deal with illegal dumping sites.

“In 2018-19, councils will receive funding through the local government finance settlement of £10.7 billion. This will provide a real terms boost in both revenue and capital funding for public services.

“Each local authority receives its fair share of this total funding, which for Renfrewshire Council  will amount to £327.8 million. Together with their decision to increase their council tax by 3 per cent the council has £11.3 million or 3.8 per cent more available to support services this year compared with 2017-18.

“It is the responsibility of each local authority to decide how it manages its day to day business and best allocate its resources.”

If you are unsure on rules and regulations when it comes to flytipping, visit the Renfrewshire Council website for more information at renfrewshire.gov.uk.