Drop in fly-tipping and fires being lit in Lochalsh ward but motorhome waste dumping rises

A concerning rise in motorhome waste dumping and the amount of litter Highland Council Access Rangers had to clean up last year has been reported to councillors

 

But reports of fly tipping and fires being lit in the open are down on last year across Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh.

 

The work of the council’s Access Rangers across a busy summer season was discussed by councillors as part of their area committee meeting last week.

 

During a presentation to provide councillors with facts and figures on the work carried out to promote responsible behaviour, it was revealed the team carried out 5,406 site visits within the ward, undertook 545 patrols and engaged face-to-face with 5,279 people to welcome and remind them of their responsibilities.

 

Three Rangers spent the summer months completely in ward five, with a further two seasonal rangers covering areas that border other wards.

 

Figures collected include incidents of motorhome waste dumping rising from 16 in 2021 to 26 incidents in 2022, a reflection, perhaps, in the increase in motorhomes visiting the area to 7,357 from 6,881.

 

There has also been a reduction in informal camping with 812 roadside tents compared to 1,616 in 2021.

 

The team collected 1,501 bags of litter, a rise from 1,210 bags last summer, but there was a decrease in the number of fires from 920 in 2021 to 561 in 2022.

 

Overall visitor numbers, in terms of cars parked and people seen, are similar to last year at around 10,000.

 

When carrying out their patrols, Access Rangers report incidents to other services and as a result of this interaction, the number of parking warning notices issued in 2022 increased slightly from 61 in 2021 to 72.

 

Committee chairperson Councillor Biz Campbell said: 'It was good to get an update on what was a busy season. The Access Rangers have been proactive and the figures show their intervention is very much needed when it comes to promoting responsible and respectful behaviour when visitors spend time in our communities.

 

'It is encouraging to hear the number of reports of fly tipping are down on last year, as is the figure on fires lit, so the messages are filtering through, but it is concerning the number has increased for motorhome waste dumping. And there has been a 25 per cent increase in the amount of litter the Rangers have had to clear up.

 

'We still have work to do to promote good practice so everyone can make the most of their time spent in our area.'

 

CAPTION:

 

Highland Council headquarters In Inverness.

 

NO F19 council HQ