Mattresses, gas bottles, tyres and freezers - just some of the items that had been dumped on a stretch of land at the end of Meadow Street and Victoria Street in Ironville, adjacent to the Midland Railway line.
But that was before a major clean up operation by a team of staff from Amber Valley Borough Council, Amber Valley Housing Ltd and Midland Railway at Butterley has left the area free from rubbish and hazardous materials.
The clean up was instigated by Amber Valley Borough Council after residents and local councillors Paul Smith and Jack Brown raised concerns about the amount of rubbish blighting the area.
“We approached Amber Valley Housing and the Midland Railway to see if they would help with the clean up operation,” explained Alan Gibson, Senior Community Officer at Amber Valley Borough Council. “In the end we had a team of around 20 people working all day to clear the area. We managed to fill over eight trucks with rubbish, the majority of which could easily have been disposed of at our Waste Recycling Centre at Loscoe. The area now looks so much better – it was definitely worth all the hard work from everyone involved!”
Councillor Jack Brown, Cabinet Member for Cleaner, Greener and Safer at Amber Valley Borough Council said “We decided to take action in response to a number of complaints from local residents. It’s pleasing that this has resulted in such a positive joint effort from all parties to improve the area for local residents.
“We have cleared the area in the past, but unfortunately it became a target for people wanting to dispose of their rubbish. This time we are taking a harder line on the issue and have installed covert cameras in the area.
“If we find evidence of people fly tipping and dumping rubbish on the site we will not hesitate to take legal action against the perpetrators. We hope that people will respect the hard work of everyone concerned to clear the site and that it will now remain free of rubbish.”
Gaynor Bentley, neighbourhood officer at Amber Valley Housing, said: “As a major landlord in Ironville we are committed to working in partnership with other agencies to help make the neighbourhood a safer and more attractive place to be. The need for a clean up was identified by a local resident and we were pleased to be able to join forces with the local authority and others to take action. The area looks much better as a result and we will continue to work with residents to carry out further improvements to benefit the community.”
Alan Calladine, Development Officer for the Midland Railway Trust said "The Midland Railway Trust is pleased to get involved in the clean up at Ironville. Visitors to the Railway get a poor impression of the area from their view of the rubbish dumped along the line. We hope that it will give the residents of Ironville more pride in their village."
Ends.
For further information contact Lisa Garnham, PR and Communications Manager at Amber Valley Borough Council, on 01773 841655.
Notes to editors
1)The Waste Recycling Centre at Taylor Lane, Loscoe is open from 8.00am until 6.00pm, seven days a week apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Anyone convicted of fly tipping could face up to a year’s imprisonment or a £50,000 fine.
