BRAZEN fly-tippers have dumped rubbish on an industrial scale in the Clune Park estate in Port Glasgow.

Household furniture, mattresses, white goods, and black bags have been tipped in the estate, creating a makeshift rubbish dump.

The mass of debris can be seen strewn across Maxwell Street and Wallace Street.

Town councillor Jim MacLeod today condemned the culprits and says they are taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis.

He said: "It's more difficult at this time for the council.

"I have heard reports that it is happening in Devol and Woodhall too, it's all over the place.

"Some people are blaming it on Pottery Street and Kirn Drive being closed but you cannot blame that.

"It wouldn't matter if the depots were opened or not - people are just using that as an excuse."

Councillor MacLeod is pleading with people not to be so selfish.

He says they should keep items in an area at their own property until recycling centres can safely re-open again once lockdown restrictions are lifted.

He said: "I would ask people not to dump rubbish.

"They are putting more pressure on the council and council workforce at a time when they are working with a reduced workforce and are doing all sorts of things, delivering food to schoolchildren or looking after the elderly, not clearing up rubbish.

"If they have an area at home they should keep it their own grounds until the centres re-open.

"It's just not right that people are dumping rubbish at a great cost to society and to the taxpayer."

Cllr MacLeod has also urged anyone who sees people dumping rubbish to take a photo on their phone and pass it to the council or police.

Inverclyde Council has slammed those responsible for the Clune Park chaos.

A spokesman said: “Fly-tipping is a real scourge on society which is both hazardous and inconsiderate at the best of times – never mind during the current coronavirus public health emergency.

“It beggars belief that this has happened when people are being urged to stay at home to protect themselves, the NHS and ultimately save lives.

“The council will use the full force of the law as and when it can to pursue and prosecute those responsible.

"However, we need the help of the public to identify fly-tippers, bring them to justice and try to eradicate this problem once and for all.

"We are urging people to take pride in Inverclyde.

“Due to the coronavirus emergency, we have reduced staffing levels and therefore have to prioritise resources so it may take some time for the rubbish to be uplifted and there will be, as always, a hefty financial cost to the council in doing so.

“While we appreciate the temporary closure of civic recycling centres at Pottery Street, Greenock, and Kirn Drive, Gourock, is inconvenient, it is in line with government safety guidance and people should not be leaving their homes anyway.

"We would ask that people hold onto what they can until centres reopen.”

Police say they are investigating the crime.

Sergeant Jason Logsdon said: "This is not acceptable behaviour.

"This kind of recklessness has an impact to our environment and communities.

"People caught would be held fully accountable for their actions."