Hundreds sign petition calling for extension to opening hours at Sheffield's dumpit sites

Adil Mohammed, son of councillor Shaffaq Mohammed leader of the Liberal Democrats, started the petition which he is presenting at a full council meeting today.

He said: “The volunteer litter picking groups have done an amazing job keeping our city clean. But while they are doing their part, the council should also do its part to help keep Sheffield clean.

“We’ve seen big queues outside household recycling centres. These are people trying to get rid of their rubbish properly. Let’s make it as easy as possible and have the centres open longer.

“We also need to bring back the popular ‘bring out your rubbish’ days so people who don’t have cars can easily dispose of their extra rubbish.

“I’m urging the council to please do its part in keeping Sheffield clean and listen to this petition.”

Councillor Mohammed said the ideas were included in his party’s budget amendments but not picked up by the council.

He added: “My colleagues in the north in particular are out every weekend and they are seeing fly tipping. It is a problem, if people have loaded their car and haven’t been able to get in at the recycling centres there is a real temptation for them to just find a field and throw it in there and it’s not fair and it’s not right.

“What we want to do is make it as easy as possible for people to be able to dispose of their rubbish responsibly and fly tipping does cost us.”

At present the city’s five tips are only open for six hours a day and only one is open seven days a week. Opening times increase to eight hours in the summer.

Fly tipping is illegal and those caught can be fined up to £50,000 and/or face 12 months in prison. It is also a criminal offence to drop litter or throw it from a car, which carries an instant £80 fine.

To report fly tipping or littering, go to https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/pollution-nuisance/litter-bins-flytipping