PEEBLESSHIRE residents have hit out after fly-tippers dumped their rubbish and unwanted furniture on one of the main gateways into the Borders.

Locals in Netherurd say they are fed up of mindless drivers leaving household items at the side of the A721 on the Borders-South Lanarkshire local authority boundary.

Last week tyres and even a television set was discarded in the layby.
Steve Collingbourne told us: “We see this happen all of the time.

“People mainly dump their drive up and dump their rubbish on the South Lanarkshire side, but it does happen on both sides of the the border.

“The layby is right nest to the ‘welcome to the Borders’ sign, so it doesn’t give off the best first impression to visitors.”

Mr Collingbourne says he is in regular contact with the the local authority, in a bid to stamp out illegal dumping.

He added: “I have spoken before to Scottish Borders Council and the Forestry Commission.

“There has been all sorts of things left there in the past. 

“We often see white goods, sofas and even carpets.

“I also remember a while ago somebody left a bag full of cheques and all bank statements, which were easily traced back.”

As reported earlier this month, fly-tippers in the Borders have been warned they will face jail or a fine of up to £40,000 if they are caught in the act, as officers vow to clamp down.

And bosses at South Lanarkshire Council also say they are monitoring the situation and ready to act.

Shirley Clelland, head of fleet and environmental services at the South Lanarkshire local authority, added: “Where possible we investigate incidents of fly-tipping and take further action if those responsible can be identified.

“Environmental services would ask local residents to be vigilant and to report details of vehicles involved if they notice dumping taking place. 

“Environmental services can be contacted on 0303 123 1015.”