Shocking footage of rotting waste at illegal Glasgow dump site as fly-tipping branded 'horrendous'

Shocking footage has emerged showing mountains of rubbish lying rotting under a motorway flyover in Glasgow after being dumped there by criminals.

Piles of trash, including countless household items such as fridges, washing machines, baths and toilets, as well as doors, windows, furniture, building rubble and bin bags, can be seen strewn across ground beneath the M8 in the Blochairn area of the city.

Organised crime gangs are thought to be behind systematic illegal dumping at the site, near Alexandra Park.

The eyesore, suspected to contain asbestos and other potentially dangerous material, has been branded a disgrace by residents, politicians and anti-littering groups.

Baths, asbestos, washing machines and stinking bin bags have been piling up under the M8 motorway. Picture: John Devlin

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser, who is working on a private members’ bill to clamp down on fly tipping, said: “This illegal dumping site beneath the M8 in Glasgow is horrendous, but sadly typical of the inconsiderate actions of those involved in this abhorrent crime.”

The area is fenced in, but the gate has been broken off, allowing easy access for tippers.

Responsibility for the site lies with infrastructure services and engineering company Amey, which maintains the south-west trunk road network.

organised criminal gangs have been blamed for industrial-scale illegal dumping in the Blochairn area of Glasgow. Picture: John Devlin

“We share local concerns about illegal fly-tipping and dumping of materials at this site, which in some cases is in a potentially hazardous manner,” an Amey spokesperson said.

“We are in the process of identifying and engaging specialist contractors to remove these materials, which need to be separated, removed and transported from this site.

“We have also been in contact with Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland and other key stakeholders regarding measures to secure these locations and prevent further dumping, which appears to be the work of highly-organised and resourced gangs.”

Glasgow City Council said it was clear ordinary residents were not behind the tipping, which is being carried out on an industrial scale.

Giant mounds of rubbish have been left to fester under the motorway flyover, just weeks before Glasgow is due to host the international summit on climate change COP26. Picture: John Devlin

Unauthorised disposal of rubbish is against the law, carrying penalties of imprisonment and fines up to £40,000.

Serious and organised waste crime is estimated to cost at least £600 million a year to the UK economy, with Scots paying £53m annually for removal of illegal rubbish.

Scotland’s environmental watchdog has warned criminals will be found and caught.

Police Scotland, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Environment protection Agency are aware of the dump site, which is thought to contain asbestos and other potentially hazardous waste. Picture: John Devlin

Jennifer Shearer, head of enforcement at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said: “This type of crime has a real impact on local communities, legitimate business and the public agencies who are working to tackle it.

“Waste crime can cause serious pollution.

“It puts communities at risk and places further stress on legitimate operators.

“It also impacts investment and economic growth.”

She added: “We know that criminals are inventive and will find new ways to break the law and make money, but Scotland’s enforcement agencies are inventive too and we are working together, alongside others across the UK, to make sure we find them and we stop them.”

Littering and fly-tipping have increased significantly over the past decade, despite efforts to tackle it, according to Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Infrastructure services and engineering company Amey, which has responsibility for the site, is currently working on cleaning up the illegal waste and making the area safe

“We unfortunately have a long way to go before everyone realises that they need to take personal responsibility for their waste and dispose of it legally and carefully with licensed companies,” Barry Fisher, the charity’s chief executive, said.

“Enforcement will always be a key part of the solution for those who refuse to change their behaviour and for the organised criminals trashing our country.”

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