PLANS to use CCTV cameras to stamp out flytipping in Longtown and the surrounding area have been announced.

City councillor David Shepherd, who represents Longtown and the Border, detailed proposals at an online Arthuret Parish Council meeting earlier this month.

In January Cllr Shepherd said the problem had been "getting worse" and he had vowed to tackle the issue which was "putting pressure" on already stretched council services during the Coronavirus lockdown.

In giving the update to parish councillors he said: "I have arranged for our enforcement officer to meet with the parish clerk to identify the problem areas for fly tipping and general rubbish and I'm pleased to be able to say that, you're probably be the first to know as a parish council, that we also now have video cameras.

"We are going to have CCTV camera's which is absolutely fabulous and we also have vehicles mounted with CCTV.

"I think you'll find you're going to be the first parish council to have these and be using them.

"A council enforcement officer has sent details through to meet the parish clerk to identify problem areas and she is prepared to come out and tour the sites, where we can target the cameras." 

He added: "I have been working for some time with our enforcement department and I've managed to arrange fly-tipping posters, they said 'yes you can have them and we can print them'.

"I feel so proud to be a councillor for Carlisle City Council when you get this sort of response from the officers."

Cllr Shepherd also outlined a recent case where the city council took action against a taxi driver.

He said: "He was throwing loads of rubbish on the car park near Tesco.

"They actually had it on video and you would not believe the amount of rubbish he was throwing out of the car. 

"He got fined £270 and six points docked from his licence.

"These are the sort of things we are taking very seriously."

The city council has recently asked residents to dispose of their excess waste responsibly, by visiting one of the multiple Cumbria County Council-run waste recycling centres, including Household Waste Recycling Centre, at Bousteads Grassing, and Brampton Household Waste Recycling Centre.

In December Cllr Nigel Christian, portfolio holder for Environment and Transport, said:

"We urge residents not to dump their excess recycling or refuse.

"Even if they are recyclable material, if they are put next to recycling bins, they are classed as fly-tipping and a fine could be issued.

"We'll be increasing our patrols of the sites and CCTV may be operation."

To find out about waste and recycling services go online to: www.carlisle.gov.uk.