A COUNCILLOR has raised concerns that fly-tipping at problem locations in Allerdale is being cleared at the behest of the taxpayer.

Allerdale Borough Council met in Wigton on Wednesday with members of the leadership presenting reports, updating members on their recent work.

Executive member for environmental services Jim Lister presented his report which revealed the huge amount of work officers have done to clear fly-tipping at Oldside in Workington.

READ MORE: Workington MP Mark Jenkinson sets up a website targetting Grot Spots

Councillor Lister’s report reads: “During May, Tivoli cleared the Oldside site which involved removing over 200 tonnes of fly-tipping as well as tyres, gas canisters and a skip full of asbestos.”

Tivoli is Allerdale Council’s contractor for the cleaning of streets and open spaces.

But Councillor for Maryport North George Kemp raised concerns that large clean-up projects at sites like Oldside are drawing officers away from littering in the public realm.

Cllr Kemp said: “Can Councillor Lister assure us that these huge clean-up jobs are not affecting our street cleaning?

“Because to be honest with you, I think Workington is an absolute mess at the moment for street cleaning.

Cllr Lister said: “Yes I can assure you of that,” the executive member said that Cumbria County Council paid for the work at Oldside.

“That does not divert Tivoli away from their work within the town and not just Workington but the other towns as well.”

READ MORE: Allerdale street cleaning contract awarded to Tivoli

Cllr Kemp claimed that an instance of fly-tipping in Maryport had been left for two weeks before being cleared away.

Cllr Lister disputed this: “Has anybody contacted the council to tell me? Because Tivoli usually clean-up (fly-tipping) in less than 24 hours.”

Cllr Kemp said that reporting the fly-tipping did not speed up the process but was advised to contact Cllr Lister if similar situations occur in the future.