Fly-tipped tyres at Wick beauty spot anger locals – Are council uplift fees driving the issue?

An image of fly-tipped tyres at a Wick beauty spot that was posted on social media led to widespread condemnation from locals.

Justine Powell from Wick was walking her dog along the popular coastal route that goes by the historic Trinkie outdoor swimming pool on March 17 and was outraged to see old car tyres dumped over the cliff edge.

“I was out walking the dogs as we do every day and noticed a tyre,” she recalled.

“I looked over and there were seven that I could count. There was also other rubbish like tables tipped by the parking area and at the end of the Trinkie road before the gates leading to the castle.

“It's a disgusting thing for people to do. It’s bad for wildlife and ruins the environment. A beautiful place like the Trinkie does not need to be destroyed like this. We are coming into the tourist season and it’s not a good look for our town.”

Justine shared the image on Facebook and many local people condemned the selfish behaviour. She said she also found it “really annoying” to find “dog poo bags and dog poo” around the Trinkie area and on the path to Old Wick Castle.

“It's the dog owners’ responsibility to clean up after them but they often don't and it’s becoming a problem all over the town, Bignold Park, the riverside and around the streets.

“I’ve been shouted at for asking others to pick up after their dogs. I’ve even offered bags but they are not interested. What does it say to tourists if locals are happy to destroy the most beautiful scenery out of sheer laziness?

“It amazes me how some dog owners don't take their responsibilities seriously enough to clean up their mess. We unfortunately don't have a system to identify those who do this and signs saying there are fines are useless as they can't be enforced.

“It’s just a shame to see the area slowly being destroyed by people's selfishness.”

Wick and east Caithness councillor Jan McEwan praised the local volunteers “who work hard to improve the town” and condemned the selfish behaviour of fly-tippers.

“A lot of them are lazy and can’t be bothered taking their stuff to the recycling centre,” she said.

“The council charges for the uplift of bulky items and the opening times of the recycling centre doesn’t help at all. There are strict rules at the centre which is also an issue. People are leaving rubbish in their gardens and it’s absolutely abominable when you walk around the housing estates of Wick.”

Cllr McEwan, who is also Wick’s provost, condemned the eyesore rubbish and said it was “high time people woke up and started taking a bit of pride in their town”.

Catherine Sapalski, secretary of the Trinkie Heritage Preservation Group, said: “l think it is disappointing and very unsightly especially as the Trinkie Heritage Preservation Group has been working hard to raise money to repair and restore the Trinkie and make it a nice place for locals and tourists. It’s shameful behaviour.”

A Highland Council spokesperson said: “The public and landowners are encouraged to report cases of fly-tipping via the council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/report

“The council investigates cases of fly-tipping and will pursue formal action where that is an appropriate and proportionate response and, crucially, where sufficient evidence is available.

“Often in cases, evidence is not available to pursue formal action. The council welcomes the Scottish Government’s litter and fly-tipping strategy and supports the objectives including the commitments to develop a more effective enforcement model and to improve guidance on enforcement approaches.”

Tyres were no longer accepted at recycling centres from April 1, 2019. Highland Council provides a collection service for them as part of its bulky uplift service. The full details are here: www.highland.gov.uk/info/1063/rubbish_-_household_waste/132/dispose_of_large_household_items

The bulky uplift service by the council has strict guidelines and various charges which may be putting off some householders and unwittingly adding to the fly-tipping issue and rubbish left in gardens.

The guidelines state: “We can collect unwanted household items from your kerb outside your home. We cannot collect from inside your property boundary or garden.

“This service is for householders and cannot be used by businesses.”

The local authority charges £27.70 for up to three items (for example, a sofa and two chairs) and a bed counts as two items with a bed base including a headboard, and a mattress. There is a charge of £55.40 for up to six items.

In requesting a bulky uplift you must order at least two working days before you need a collection. There are set collection days across the Highland region.

“Upholstered furniture that is damaged, torn or ripped needs to be covered up and sealed with tape,” it also states.

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