A COUNCILLOR wants “no more excuses” and a long term-solution to rubbish-strewn commercial alleys in Redcar and Cleveland.

Councillor Carl Quartermain said the local authority had been unable to get a grip of a problem which was getting worse and worse.

The Labour group leader described how he personally had been involved in clean-ups of one hot-spot location behind Milbank Terrace, in Redcar, which had removed freezers and mattresses, only for fly-tipped items and other rubbish to return a day or so later.

Cllr Quartermain recently instigated a meeting attended by Cllr Barry Hunt, who has responsibility for local neighbourhoods, fellow Coatham ward councillor Neil Baldwin, and several officers from different council departments, which he said he had been “positive, with determined attitudes”.

An action plan is now being developed and it is hoped an audit will take place of the affected areas, the ultimate aim being to ensure that steps taken provide a future model to follow for the authority.

It was also agreed that “committed” weekly clear-ups take place and any residents sharing access to Milbank Terrace be contacted to ensure they had their own bins.

Cllr Quartermain said: “There can be no more excuses and reasons why the council are unable to take control of the waste in these alleys.”

He said he wanted to see

* The council legally adopt alleys not under anyone’s control

*Tougher fines for businesses who did not ensure areas they were responsible for were clear of waste

* A league table to identify the worst locations

* More enforcement staff being employed who could work flexibly and monitor areas on evenings and weekends

* Measures such as CCTV and gates and bollards to prevent waste being fly-tipped, having been transported from other areas

* Businesses provided with commercial-type bins, which were lockable, or contained within cages.

Cllr Quartermain added: “There needs to be long term action, which properly addresses the situation, and creates a model for all of our alleys right across the borough.

“I have concerns about all of our alleys, but this one [Milbank Terrace] in particular is a headache because it is such a thoroughfare anyway.

“If this takes years to resolve, then so be it, but let’s do it for the good of our residents and the environment.”

A spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland Council said: “The people of Redcar and Cleveland and our visitors deserve clean, pleasant surroundings and our officers will take action to keep the borough tidy as is necessary.

“We have recently been made aware of complaints of possible fly-tipping in alleys in a commercial area of the borough and constructive talks have been held with businesses and residents.

“We are confident this issue will be resolved.”