A COMMUNITY campaigner is calling for Port streets to be blocked off to tackle the menace of flytipping.

David McKechnie, treasurer of Port Glasgow East Community Council, says areas in Woodhall have become dumping grounds since houses were demolished.

He claims that commercial waste and household items are making the area an eyesore.

David said: “It’s a disgrace and there doesn’t seem to be anything being done about it. I’ve brought the problem of flytipping up umpteen times — there’s flytipping all over the Port just now.

“There’s regeneration going on, which is to be welcomed, but when the houses were knocked down it’s left wide open spaces.

“The properties left should be protected and the roads shut off — it’s costing money to remove this rubbish.” David says Sunnyside, Pleasantside and Brightside avenues should be blocked off using bollards.

He said: “It’s out the way but it’s an eyesore and is not acceptable.” In one area a horde of household items such as fridges, sofas and wardrobes have been dumped.

River Clyde Homes has undertaken a major housebuilding programme in the neighbourhood as part of a regeneration of the area.

Woodhall Phase one consisted of 102 new homes in Parkhill Avenue and 20 new homes are also being built in Woodhall Terrace, due to be completed next March.

There are also plans for further demolition of existing properties in Brightside and Heggies Avenue.

A spokesman for River Clyde Homes said: “No decisions have been made about the future redevelopment of Mansion, Brightside and Pleasantside avenues.” He added that the items were on council land and said the housing association had ‘no objections’ to the streets being blocked off.

Town councillor Jim MacLeod says he has received several complaints about flytipping and is urging members of the public to report culprits to the council and police.

He said: “Sadly, flytipping has been an ongoing problem in various parts of Port Glasgow and Inverclyde for far too long. I have received complaints from constituents in Slaemuir, Broadfield and elsewhere in Port Glasgow, but by far the most complaints have came from Woodhall, which seems to be a soft target for dumpers with most of the homes now demolished there.

“Flytipping is a scandal and costs us all as tax or rent payers, as either the council or housing associations who own the land where dumping takes place have to clear this and of course this comes with a cost.

“I would urge people to note registration plates and report them to the police or the council.” A council spokesman said: “Anyone who is caught dumping domestic or commercial waste illegally will be reported to the procurator fiscal.

“The council has sites available to dispose of domestic waste and all business waste has to be taken to a licensed tip or transfer station.

“We would urge members of the public to report any case of flytipping and to ensure any contractors working for them have made appropriate arrangements for the disposal of their waste.”