Tip-trip tourism could cut fly-tipping in Torbay

Torbay Council is being urged to link up with neighbouring authorities to help cut the cost of tip-trip miles for local families.

The bay’s waste transfer station is in Paignton, and some households at the northern end of the bay say they could save time, money and miles by using the one at Newton Abbot, which is closer.
Some councillors also believe having easier access to the local recycling stations through tip-trip tourism will help cut down on the scourge of fly-tipping.
Liberal Democrat members for Barton with Watcombe Swithin Long and Mike Fox penned a motion to the full council calling for negotiations with Devon County Council to allow people from Torbay to use the Brunel Road recycling centre in Newton Abbot, and Conservative councillor Alan Tyerman (Churston with Galmpton) said the initiative could go even further.
Negotiating with South Hams Council to open up access to some of its facilities could also make a difference, he said.
Councillors of all parties agreed unanimously to open talks with their neighbours.
“I hope our talks with the new leadership of Devon County Council prove to be successful,” said Cllr Long. 
But Cllr Chris Lewis (Con, Preston) questioned whether having Torbay families tipping their rubbish in Teignbridge would skew all-important recycling figures.
“Would we then be seen by the government as failing to recycle our residents’ rubbish?” he asked. “If we were going to be fined, then it might not be the best way forward.”
And Cllr Darren Cowell (Ind, Shiphay) said the whole debate could be rendered irrelevant by the forthcoming reorganisation of local government which could see Torbay, Teignbridge and South Hams sharing services anyway.
Cllr Steve Bryant (Con, St Marys with St Peters) said he was concerned about who would pay for Torbay residents to tip in Teignbridge.
But Cllr George Darling (Lib Dem, St Marychurch) told the meeting: “We are trying to improve recycling rates across the whole of our community.
“Even if we saw a slight reduction in Torbay, an increase over the whole of South Devon would be achieving our objectives.”