HYNDBURN and Haslingden MP Graham Jones has launched a petition to scrap tip charges for removing inert waste.

Currently people taking inert waste, such as stones, turf, plasterboard and bricks, to Lancashire County Council recycling centres must pay £3.50 per bag if they have not applied for a permit.

Those with a permit are limited to taking 10 bags or single items to a tip each year.

Mr Jones has now set up an online petition against the charges, looking at how it effects issues such as fly-tipping.

County Council bosses said the permits and charges only apply to disposing inert waste and does not impact on waste dumping.

Mr Jones said: “There are a lot of problems we have got in the area because of fly-tipping.

“Hyndburn Council have recorded a record number of fly-tipping incidents in recent years.

“The cost and waste gets dumped on the tax payer.

“People would be more inclined to go to tips if charges didn’t apply to them at all.

“Then people would be clear in their minds that waste is being recycled or disposed of properly in a landfill site.

“I think it’s about time we got rid of all tip charges, it’s just wrong.”

Inert waste covers items from construction and demolition and also includes ceramics, flagstones, soil, sand and drainpipes.

Anyone can apply for permits for inert waste and are free of charge for the first 10 bags or single items.

The maximum dimensions of one bag accepted is 600 x 900mm and larger single items include sinks etc.

The charges were implemented by Lancashire County Council in June 2015.

County Cllr Albert Atkinson, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council with responsibility for waste, said: “Most people would never think of subjecting their neighbours to the blight and clean-up costs caused by fly tipping.

“There’s no reason why people would need to fly-tip as a result of this policy which was introduced in June 2015.

“Around 1,300 people every week apply for and receive permits allowing them to dispose of a quarter of a tonne of construction and demolition waste each year without charge.

“We are not aware of any evidence there has been an increase in fly tipping in Lancashire since the policy was introduced."

So far more than 33 people have signed the petition.

To sign visit council.lancashire.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=195.