MP hits out at fly-tippers after rubbish dumped behind store in Sedgley
An MP has hit out at fly-tippers after the latest mountain of rubbish was dumped on a piece of land.
Heaps of bin bags, mattresses and wood were all dumped on the car park on the site of the former Gould’s electrical store on Bilston Street, Sedgley.
It has led to Marco Longhi, MP for Dudley North, calling for action to be taken to ensure the site is cleaned up as soon as possible.
Mr Longhi said: “I have inspected the site and cannot believe the amount of waste that has built up.
“There are some significant fines in place for people caught fly-tipping.
“I know that local authorities also have enhanced powers to search and seize vehicles of suspected fly-tippers.
“It is encouraging that local authorities can also take those accused of fly-tipping to court.
“If a prosecution is successful, a fly-tipper can receive a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months’ imprisonment if convicted in a Magistrates’ Court, or an unlimited fine and up to five years’ imprisonment if convicted in a Crown Court.
“I am aware that the Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy includes a number of commitments to improve sentencing of fly-tippers, including working with the Sentencing Council to increase magistrates’ awareness of the prevalence and importance of waste crime.”
Blight
Gould’s, which went into liquidation in 2018, was based in the former Co-op store on the road – which it leased from the retail firm.
But bosses at the Midcounties Co-operative confirmed they do not own the land – with the freehold sold off in 2007 and the current owner not known.
Councillor Michael Evans, who represents the area, said he had been made aware of the issue – but stressed the land was privately-owned, with the council unable to act.
Councillor Shaun Keasey, who also represents the area, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight that is based on nothing but selfishness.
“No-one has a right to dump waste on land that does not belong to them to the detriment of that locality and community.
“I am working with Marco to ensure the old Gould’s car park is cleared and secured.”
Gould’s TV originally started in Sedgley’s High Street before moving to the former Co-op store site, in Bilston Street, in the 1980s.
The business shut for the last time in May 2018 – with staff given just five days notice after corporate recovery specialists Butcher Woods of Birmingham were appointed as liquidators.
