It's one of the worst fly-tipping sites I've ever seen in Glasgow

Dozens of fridges, freezers, sofas, beds, chairs and carpets have been dumped the entire length of a layby off Maclellan Street in Kinning Park.

Union bosses have condemned the culprits and say their actions are putting strain on an already over-stretched cleansing service that is struggling due to council cutbacks.

(Image: Robert Perry) Fears have also been expressed the level of dumping could turn the area into a magnet for mice and rats.

Chris Mitchell, GMB convener, says the site is ‘an absolute disgrace’.

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Chris Mitchell, GMB convener, says the site on the city’s south side is ‘a disgrace’. (Image: supplied) He added: “This is one of the worst examples of illegal dumping I have seen in over 20 years. There is rubbish of every description here, white goods, sofas, carpets and general waste. You name it, you will find it somewhere in this lay-by.

“Not only are sites like this a complete embarrassment to the city, they are dangerous and unhygienic. This rubbish has accumulated to such an extent that it is spilling onto the road, making it hazardous to traffic. It will also almost certainly attract vermin and then we have a secondary issue to deal with.”

This is the second time the lay-by has become an area of concern. Action had to be taken around 18 months ago to try and secure the area after dumpers began using it to leave bin bags and other household waste.

(Image: Robert Perry) Chris added: “The problem has returned – and it is much worse this time around.

“Before it was contained and environmental teams were able to deal with it, but this is dumping on an industrial scale now. Personally, I would like to see much stiffer penalties for this type of thing. It needs to be viewed as a proper crime and dealt with as such.

“Cleansing has been hit hard by cuts to council budgets and this type of thing only makes the job more difficult. Fly-tipping is a growing problem across Glasgow and this only highlights how much of an issue it is becoming. Our city is becoming a dumping ground."

Council chiefs say they are investigating who owns the land and will take the appropriate action after establishing the relevant facts.

(Image: Robert Perry) A spokesperson also said that the local authority’s fixed penalty notice tariff for fly-tipping has been increased from £200 to £500 in recent months.

They added: “We have checked our records and there have been no complaints or reports of fly tipping on this private land.

“Our officers will visit the site to survey the condition of the land.

“Fly tipping is an environmental crime and those responsible are liable to face enforcement action.

“The fixed penalty notice has recently increased from £200 to £500.

“Where fly-tipping is found on private land it is the responsibility of the landowner to remove that waste and ensure their property is secure so future fly-tipping can be prevented.

“Our environmental health team will also investigate these incidents on both public and private land and will take the appropriate action based on the available evidence.”