KIRKLEES Council is to spend tens of thousands on a spring blitz aimed at wiping out fly-tipping.

A special three-month spring-clean of the Kirklees area is being carried out as part of a continuing and concerted drive to tackle litter, fly-tipping and grot spots across the district.

The extra initiative will see Environmental Services staff working in conjunction, and more directly, with councillors at local level.

Clr David Hall, Cabinet member for green services, said: “This year’s budget earmarked an extra £50,000 to the budget already allocated for this area of activity.

“The campaign will focus on clearing fly-tipping sites, and dealing with litter hot spots and other known grot spots.

“A special direct email link will enable councillors to report incidents.

“All councillors will be able to contact Environmental Services to tell them of areas of concern which will then be given to rapid response teams to deal with as part of the overall drive to tackle this environmental nuisance.”

He also urged members of the public to help by reporting tipping incidents.

Clr Hall said: “The public, of course, can do their bit by continuing to report cases to the service, and better still not causing the litter and fly-tipping in the first place.

“With the household refuse and waste services available, all of them free, there really is no need for people to be dropping litter, or illegally dumping rubbish and causing hazards from so doing.

“However, we have to deal with reality, and sadly this is an area of activity that needs continual attention.

“Making it easier for councillors to report problems, and by allocating this extra cash, we hope to be able to deal with problems more effectively and quickly.”

Council leader Clr Robert Light said the initiative was an important part of the overall council strategies and ambitions for Kirklees to be seen as a beacon for ‘green’ living and to make Kirklees a cleaner borough.