Litterbugs told: ‘bin your waste or take it home – or face a fine’
EXTRA staff have had to be drafted in to deal with a “sea of rubbish” which has blighted the borough’s beaches and parks in the last two days.
Now a warning has been issued to litter bugs that they must bin their waste or take it home - or they are liable to be fined.
Residents and visitors have also been reminded to maintain social distancing and not to park illegally.
The council has deployed more staff to cleaning duties, especially in the Redcar, Marske and Saltburn areas, and 20 officers were cleaning from 7am today, Wednesday 31 March, after working late into the evening yesterday. Another eight staff have also been drafted in to clean tonight and mechanical cleaners and power washing equipment are also being used.
Nearly 40 fines have had to be issued to cars parked illegally on seafronts yesterday which made it impossible for bin wagons and mechanical cleaners to clean with most work having to be done by hand and a number of fines for littering have been issued. Extra cleaning officers will also be cleaning across the Easter weekend with other officers moved from duties in other parts of the borough to deal with the huge amounts of litter. Workers have found many dozens of nappies, lots of broken glass and Redcar’s seafront shelters have had to be power-cleaned specially. Environmental Enforcement Officers will be patrolling across the Easter weekend.
Councillor Barry Hunt, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “Our teams have worked like Trojans to deal with a sea of litter which is all over the borough - but especially on our beaches and parks. We have reports of bins not even full but with litter strewn all around them. Some areas of our beaches have been used as virtual beer gardens and glass left everywhere in an area where small children are playing barefoot.
“None of this will be tolerated.
“I warn litterbugs - our community officer patrols are out and about and will not hesitate to issue fines.
“It has also been worrying to see so many people congregating together quite closely. It looks likely the rule of six and two household rules have been broken and we do regularly share information – and CCTV footage – with police. We don’t want to find ourselves in another lockdown and I would simply remind people to stay safe and keep their distance. If it’s too busy, please think about moving on to another area of our beautiful borough with fewer people.
“We know it’s always a minority who break the rules. The vast majority have been responsible. Let’s all continue to work together to beat this awful pandemic – and stay safe.”