A councillor has blasted fly-tippers in Belvedere as he claims that regular dumping at a water drainage ditch is putting pressure on already stretched council resources.

Cllr David Putson told News Shopper he regularly has to file reports with council officers regarding excessive rubbish dumping at the site next to the B&Q store off Lower Road.

"It costs a lot of money and time. I have had to do this more times than I care to mention this year.

"Every Monday an LBB (Bexley Council) officer gets a bank of emails from me about this. At one point I saw three shopping trolleys dumped in there.

"With local authority resources being stretched to breaking point it would be great if all those that use the Belvedere B&Q or Asda stores, rather than just dropping their litter or unwanted items in the water ditch they put it in a bin or took it home and put it in a bin at home.

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"A little more care and the environment can improve and you don't stretch limited resources. You never know it could save those resources and mean one less reason for future council tax rises," he said.

News Shopper:

Rubbish thrown into waterway near B&Q Belvedere

The concerned councillor explained that before the construction of the B&Q store and adjacent car park, the site was home to a football pitch and a number of allotments, hence the need for a drainage ditch.

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It has since become a spot for nature and wildlife enthusiasts following the installation of a wooden walkway across the waterway.

However, according to Cllr Putson this is continually being "ruined" due to dumping, noting that last year a number of ducks had to be relocated from the waterway as the rubbish made it unsafe for them.

"Perhaps then, unlike last year, the mallard ducks will not have to be removed for their own safety, with any chicks, and young children could take five minutes out of their time at these stores with mum and dad to enjoy local wildlife, which is somewhat ruined by all of the fly-tip just dumped by a thoughtless act," he said.

He said he has been in touch with B&Q to ask whether it can put more bins outside its store and possibly near the walkway for shoppers, something which the councillor said the retailer seemed happy to look into.

News Shopper:

Locals encouraged to report fly-tipping and avoid dumping rubbish into waterway

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Cllr Putson is now seeking further co-operation from the people of Belvedere, calling on nearby residents and shoppers to get more involved in reporting any fly-tipping by the ditch or in their area.

"I’m trying to get some pride instilled back into Belvedere.

"I’m actually trying to encourage residents to report this to me and trying to get people to be aware of their environment," he continued.

When contacted for a comment, a B&Q spokeswoman said: "We have a dedicated maintenance team to keep the car park tidy and our customers are encouraged to use the bins we provide at the entrance and exit of our store."