Back lane dumping - Liberal Democrats call for Council action

Newcastle Liberal Democrats are calling on Newcastle City Council to crackdown on the dumping of furniture by Student Landlords every summer.

"Once again, the back lanes of Ouseburn and other student areas are filled with furniture and other materials dumped from student houses over the summer." said Liberal Democrat Ouseburn Ward Councillor Gareth Kane "Not only is this unpleasant for other residents, and illegal, it is costing the cash-strapped Council both in terms of clearing it and lost trade waste fees. Student Landlords make a lot of money from renting their properties, it's not unreasonable to expect them to respect the law. I'm calling on the Council for a co-ordinated crackdown to stop this problem at source."

"We experience this problem every year around this time and every year Lib Dem Councillors warn that the council needs to prepare for it." added Gareth "This year the Council has been even more ill-prepared than usual and its response has been ineffective."

"Ouseburn Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for an end to back-lane dumping for more than 4 years. Material dumped from rented properties by the landlord or their agent is technically trade waste which attracts fees for disposal. Dumping it in the back lane is illegal."