A North East council has taken action to block access to a fly-tipping hotspot in an effort to stop what they described as a ‘blight on the local environment.’

Hartlepool Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee have installed heavy duty bollards to prevent vehicles from accessing the rear of 166-294 West View Road.

Access to the site is via a narrow lane between numbers 278 and 280 West View Road.

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The bollards will remain fixed in place, but they can be removed should the emergency services or council staff require access to the site.

The site, which is located between the railway line and the near of properties on this stretch of West View Road, suffers from constant large-scale fly-tipping and deliberate fires.

Councillors heard that Cleveland Fire Brigade and Council cleansing staff are regularly called out to the site.

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Councillor Shane Moore, who chaired the meeting of the Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on the local environment and something we are determined to clampdown on.

“Action has previously been taken with some short-term success, but we feel that the installation of the heavy duty bollards to block all vehicle access to the land is the best way forward to bring about a long-term improvement in the situation.

“All members of the committee were unanimous in their support of local ward councillors who are keen to see a long-term solution found for the significant problems occurring in this area.”