Motorist fines at dump-it sites will lead to fly tipping, warn Sheffield councillors

The council says the fines are to stop unsafe queueing traffic and has also warned that if large numbers of people continue to visit the tips, or don't follow the guidelines, the tips will close.

But Sheffield Liberal Democrats say it will just increase fly tipping.

Lib Dem Leader Coun Shaffaq Mohammed said: "During lockdown, there has been an increase in household waste as people have decorated their houses and tended to their gardens.

"In order to deal with congestion, a better system needs to be in place to allow local residents to book a slot at their local household waste site to give them certainty that when they turn up to get rid of their waste they won’t be slapped with a huge fine as well.

“Making it harder for residents to dispose of their waste legally will only lead to increased fly tipping which not only damages the environment but costs the council much more to clear up.”

One motorist waiting at Oughtibridge tip said: "Half an hour before the tip opened, there were already seven cars ahead of me. By the time I got in, there was a queue of 30 cars.

"One driver was trying to push in and there was a row with another driver. The staff just washed their hands of it and drivers were left to their own devices.

"It's a traffic management disaster but what are people supposed to do? This is the third time I've tried to bring my rubbish.

"The council needs to get its act together, it's their fault for not having a better system in place. These sites need to open earlier, stay open later and open every day. Blaming drivers is a disgrace, I pay my council tax for this service."

The council says drivers will initially be asked to move on by site staff and those who don't move will be issued with a penalty charge notice.

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