Fly tipping has increased in South Ayrshire during lockdown as pressure mounts for recycling centres to reopen. 

The council has handed out a number of fixed penalty notices to culprits who have dumped rubbish in the area. 

Residents have reported heaps of household goods and bags full of waste abandoned by the roadsides.

Council bosses are now planning how recycling centres could reopen again while maintaining social distancing. 

A council spokesman said: “There has been a slight increase in reports of fly tipping and we have issued a number of fixed penalty notices recently.

“Fly tipping is not just unsightly, it harms the environment and can be a risk to health. We are asking the public to continue to report any incidents which we will investigate. Anyone caught disposing of waste illegally will be issued with a £200 fixed penalty notice.”

All recycling centres in South Ayrshire including the recycling centre operated by Barr at Heathfield in Ayr will only reopen when government guidelines change.

Currently making trips to tips is not classed as essential.  The council spokesman added: “Local authorities in Scotland are taking practical steps to consider under what circumstances centres could reopen, once the national travel advice is changed. This work includes considering how physical distancing at centres can be maintained in order to help protect staff and members of the public.”

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