A CRACKDOWN on fly-tipping in Ellesmere Port alleyways has reached its final phase.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has been running a a project to reduce fly-tipping and help residents manage their waste in the alleyways of the Fields area of the town.

The project has been designed to work closely with local residents to help manage the fly-tipping problems in the area, raise awareness of how to manage waste and encourage community clean up events.

The project has seen residents in the area working with staff from the council’s Waste Management, StreetCare, Localities, Regulatory Services and Community Safety teams, and has also involved Cheshire Police and local ward councillors.

Earlier this year letters were sent to residents in Victoria Road, Woodfield Road, Ashfield Road and Highfield Road in Ellesmere Port to ask them to get involved. Meetings were also held to discuss ideas on how to improve the area and information was provided to help residents have the correct bins to manage their waste and recycle where possible.

The council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “Residents have really got involved in the project and made a difference to their community.

"The next phase of the project will see our Your Streets Officers work closely with residents to organise community projects like litter picks and planting schemes. It is hoped that they can also get involved in the town’s Ellesmere Port in Bloom entry, working with other groups.

“When I visited the alleyways last week, I was very impressed with clean up work that has has taken place and the enthusiasm from local residents. One gentleman very resourcefully used items he found fly-tipped behind his home to transform his section of the alleyway into an attractive garden space.

"A big thank you to everyone who has got involved.”

To ensure the area remains in its current clean state, fortnightly patrols will be carried out in the area and any instances of fly tipping will be passed to the council’s Regulatory Services team to investigate, which may lead to Fixed Penalty Notices being issued or the prosecution of offenders.

In the autumn the project will be reviewed, with everyone involved being able to discuss the results to date and plans for the future.