Gates drive to help beat fly-tipping in Hartlepool

Requests were made for more signage to be placed across Hartlepool around alley gates to remind residents to keep them shut and locked.

Councillors added keeping the gates locked when not in use can play a key role in helping to address fly-tipping in the town.

It came as Hartlepool Borough Council Neighbourhood Services Committee approved the renewal of public space protection orders (PSPOs) currently in place in the town.

Current PSPOs in place cover all of the alley gates in the town, along with numerous dog control orders.

Cllr Tom Cassidy, Hart ward representative, said he had seen areas near where he lived which had no signs around alley gates reminding residents to keep them locked.

He said: “I can tell you now there is no signage in place on the streets of Elwick Road and the streets related to that so could we maybe have a look at that please?”

Cllr Amy Prince added there are residents in her ward, Jesmond, who were upset with others not locking the gates, and called for the council to look at a town wide approach to ensure the gates are kept locked.

She said: “Is there any chance we can have a look at them town wide to check that signage is in place and maybe even send out letters to residents if it’s appropriate just reminding them they should be locking the gates? It might make some residents feel a bit safer.”

Cllr Sue Little added addressing issues around back alleys and the gates could help reduce fly-tipping in the town.

She said: “If we did have the signs in place, it could prevent fly-tipping in the back streets, which is a massive issue.

“Especially where there is a gated area because people don’t think you go down there but residents do go down there and do report fly-tipping.”

Sylvia Pinkney, assistant director for regulatory services at the council, said there is ongoing work aiming to reduce fly-tipping, which the ideas could be tied into, and they would look at claims signs are not in place in certain locations.

It comes after councillors raised concerns over fly-tipping in the town at last month’s Full Council meeting, which saw reports of dozens of tyres dumped, along with potential rat problems due to ‘at least 80 black bags’ being left in a backyard in the town.

Council chiefs said a lot is being done to tackle the issue, including the formation of a working group, targeting hot spots, and a campaign is planned to help address the issue.

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