A key issue impacting on the landscape quality and visitor experience which was repeatedly raised during our development phase was the problem of fly-tipping in the open Gwent Levels landscape. It’s clear to all of our partners that we need to reduce the incidents and impacts of this problem in order for our other projects to make a lasting difference. The LLNH-4 Fly-tipping–from black spots to bright spots project has deployed a part-time enforcement officer who will work with the local authorities and the Fly-tipping Action Group to investigate fly-tipping incidents on the Levels and take appropriate action against offenders. Project activities fall into three groups – Education, Awareness and Interventions.
Education: Children and students must know about waste and how to deal with it responsibly – the project is enabling teachers to deliver these messages in the classroom to inspire our younger generation to care for and respect the unique Gwent Levels landscape.
Awareness: Partners are raising awareness of the issues of fly-tipping and provide information to residents and businesses on how they should be disposing of their waste. So far, over 3,500 leaflets giving advice to householders living on the levels about their Duty of Care were sent to local residents and trade roadshows have been completed in Travis Perkins in Cardiff, B&Q in Newport and Robert Price in Newport targeting waste carriers.
Interventions: Cameras and no-fly-tipping signs have been deployed to help catch offenders, reen clean-ups have been organised to help deal with the impact of fly-tipping and in future years locations will be target-hardened to prevent tipping and pollinator gardens constructed at hotspot locations to promote community pride in the landscape.
By the end of the project we hope to achieve a sustained reduction in fly-tipping incidents on the Gwent Levels and plan to construct, with the help and support of local communities, pollinator gardens near to some of the former fly-tipping hotspots to turn these former black spots into community bright spots. Contact Tito for more information about upcoming activities.
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