Days after a mounting pile of rubbish was cleared from a busy road near Chatham town centre, a new unsightly eyesore emerged.

Medway Council workers removed sofas, fridges and household waste after a resident living opposite in Luton Road made several complaints.

But Keith Clear was amazed to see two days later, fly-tippers had dumped mattresses, a display cabinet and bed frame in the same spot.

Mr Clear, 67, who has lived in the road for 21 years, now aims to launch a campaign to encourage the community to have pride in the neighbourhood.

He said:"It's not just here. It's up and down the road. There are a lot of good people living here. But there is also a transient population moving in and out, who just don't seem to care."

Mr Clear, a retired father-of-two, is urging the council to instal CCTV to catch the culprits red-handed and fine them.

He said: "Some are so blatant that they even leave it outside their property, but we don't hear of people being fined. Unfortunately, a lot of people will not do the right thing unless it hits them in the pocket.

"It's a shame that after all the improvement work going on around Luton Arches that our deprived neighbourhood doesn't come high up on the priority list.

"I can't help thinking if we were in a more affluent areas this would have been sorted."

Over the years, Arches Local, which was formed as part of the Big Local initiative and funded by the National Lottery, has made efforts to brighten up and enhance Luton.

Floral hanging baskets and planters have been installed and members have liaised with Network Rail to create a striking mural over the railway arches.

Upon successful prosecution, magistrates courts can impose fines of up to £50,000 and/or imprisonment of up 12 months for fly-tipping.

If the case is taken to crown court, the fines can be unlimited and/or a prison sentence of up to five years can be imposed.

Vehicles used for fly-tipping can be seized by Medway Council or the police.

James Brown, head of regulatory services at Medway Council, said: “We investigate all fly-tipping incidents and take action by issuing community protection warnings or fixed penalty notices, wherever possible.

"We regularly, proactively, clear up fly-tipping before it is reported to us and we would encourage residents to continue to report fly-tipping incidents to us on our website so we can arrange to have the waste cleared as quickly as possible.

"Following resident’s concerns we will be regularly visiting the area to remove any fly-tipped waste and speaking to residents to remind them of their responsibility to dispose of their waste correctly.

"We all have a responsibility to help keep Medway clean and tidy.”

To report a fly-tipping incident in Medway, click here.

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