COUNCIL chiefs are coming under more pressure to act over piles of rubbish mounting up on Weymouth’s streets.

As concerns grow over general cleanliness and the image of the resort, a former council worker claims the waste authority is in danger of contravening regulations by not picking up rubbish.

David Morgan, who is visiting Weymouth and was disturbed to see rubbish bags in the streets, cited regulations of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP) has denied it is breaching regulations.

Rubbish has been left on streets because it has been placed in ‘unauthorised sacks’ and notices have been placed on them urging residents to put waste in blue bags instead.

In the Park District, concerns have been raised that bags are piling up outside homes with little storage space and rubbish is being collected fortnightly instead of weekly.

Mr Morgan retired from his post as an environmental officer at Carmarthenshire County Council last year and has been visiting his daughter in Weymouth.

He said: “Section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1990 imposes a statutory duty on the local authority to collect municipal waste.

“There is no way around it, they have to pick up the waste.

“Section 89 provides a statutory obligation on the local authority to keep the streets free of litter and refuse. Failure to do so may make them liable under the law to a penalty, if a member, or members, of the public complain.”

DWP insist they are fully compliant with the Environmental Protection Act. A spokesman said: “The Recycle for Dorset collection service is fully compliant with the Environmental Protection Act. Under Section 46 of the Act, the council (the DWP) can require properties to place waste for collection in the containers specified. We will ensure all residents have the right containers and information in order to use the service properly.

“Section 48 of the Act relates to the council’s duty to dispose of the waste it collects.

“We have arrangements in place to recycle, treat and dispose of all the recyclable and non-recyclable materials we collect.

“We also fully comply with Section 89, which is about keeping the highway clear of litter.

“Where black sacks have been left, we are investigating the circumstances and clearing the rubbish, which we will continue to do throughout the week.”

Residents who have not yet received their blue sacks, recycling boxes or food waste containers should visit dorsetforyou. com/recycle or call DWP.

  • TOURISM spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Cllr Rachel Rogers has urged Dorset Waste Partnership to make a ‘seasonal gesture of goodwill’ by clearing up the rubbish.

    She said residents should then be visited and educated about what they need to do.

Cllr Rogers said: “It’s not great for tourism but my concern first is for local residents. DWP hasn’t got off to a great start in Weymouth.

“It’s a new service and there was always going to be some problems bedding in.

“There needs to be some give and take on both sides to rectify the situation.”