Councillors say residents lives are being made a 'misery'

The team of councillors who represent The Audley and Queens Park wards in Blackburn have launched a drive to clean up the area that has been plighted with rubbish over the last few months.

Residents have been taking part in organised clean ups at weekends but the councillors have said that more needs to be done to prevent waste being dumped in the area.

Cllr Salim Mulla has called on Blackburn with Darwen Council to prosecute offenders more and for it to step up efforts to gather evidence on offenders.

Cllr Salim Sidat, who also represents the area, has posted a collection of photos on Facebook in a bid to show people how bad the problem is.

He has said that rubbish is being left on almost every available patch of grass in the area.

Calls have also been made for more education to be provided to Blackburn residents on fly tipping and where instead to put rubbish.

Cllr Sidat said: "This problem has been going on for a while and it is making people's lives a misery.

"People are coming in from outside the area but there is also a small minority of people living in the area who are doing this.

"More people need to be educated on where to send their rubbish as this simply can't continue."

Residents have reacted angrily to the fly tipping and have branded it as 'disgusting'.

They also praised the councillors for their work in starting the clean up operation.

Cllr Mulla said: "The fly tipping is an absolute disgrace and is very disrespectful.

"It's disgusting that this is happening and I hope that it stops soon.

"Around 99 per cent of residents are law-abiding citizens who do not do this but there is a small minority of people who will carry on doing this regardless of how much education we give them.

"We need to prosecute those who do this and send a message that the people of this area are not prepared to tolerate this."

A spokeswoman for Blackburn with Darwen Council was unavailable for comment.