A DAMNING dossier of our readers' pictures showing the blight of fly-tipping in Derby's streets is to be used in a House of Commons inquiry into the problem.
Information gathered by the Derby Telegraph and its readers is being handed to MPs who are determined to address the issue.
It is hoped the committee's work will lead to a change in law giving council enforcement officers more powers and reducing the level of proof needed to convict people for fly-tipping.
Derby North MP Chris Williamson, one of two MPs who requested the inquiry, said: "There's a definite case. At the moment the odds are stacked in favour or the criminal fly-tippers who blight our community."
He said the articles the Derby Telegraph produced with public help had "influenced his thinking" in calling for the investigation.
And he pledged to ensure that this evidence was taken into account by the cross-party committee involved.
In the 12 months to March, there were 6,651 incidents of fly-tipping in Derby – 5,173 in the Normanton and Arboretum wards – but no convictions.
The city council has been criticised for not doing enough but said a change of law would be needed for it to get to grips with the problem.
Its deputy chief executive, Paul Robinson, previously said the same level of proof was needed for a fly-tipping conviction as for murder.
Karen Williams, a member of Normanton Empowerment Team, which has been battling for more to be done about fly-tipping, said news of the inquiry was "fantastic".
Mr Williamson said he was also keen to see firms like fast-food chains and chewing gum companies pay towards local clean-up costs.
He suggested one idea would be a 1p a pack tax on the gum industry to help authorities with environmental work. Derby City Council spends about £23,000 a year on clearing gum from city centre streets alone.
chris.mallett@derbytelegraph.co.uk
