A NEW community project has been launched in Wharton to tackle fly tipping.

Winsford Town councillors have teamed up with Cheshire Police, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Weaver Vale Housing to visit every house on the Bradbury Road and Wharton Gardens estates to talk to residents about refuse collection services.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe said: "It’s not just the weekly kerbside bin and recycling collections, there are bulky item collection services available and we’re making sure residents have the recycling boxes and bins that they need and arranging for replacements."

The project has also reduced financial barriers for bulky waste collection to make the service available to everyone.

"Many residents have raised concerns about flytipping and this joined up approach will help to reduce it," said Cllr Pardoe. "It was great to talk with residents and it’s evident that there’s a real frustration that flytipping is making the estates untidy and leading to further antisocial behaviour.

"To pay for clean up, agencies are using resources which should be spent elsewhere. Money from other budgets which could pay for exciting new services is being used to collect rubbish."

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Residents are keen to tackle flytipping and catch those responsible.

Improved signage spelling out the instant £400 fine and prosecution are supported with cameras and enforcement visits.

Cllr Pardoe added: "Flytipping is expensive to deal with and takes money away from positive things, it’s great to be part of a partnership project to tackle it.

"The social and economic impacts of flytipping are unacceptable and entirely avoidable."