Rubbish tips

In response to some of the comments on other forums, I would like to draw the attention to the following: On the 9th of August 2010 I submitted a report on behalf of the Citizens Advice Group that myself and a couple of others formed, to the Coastrider Newspaper. The following article was printed:

What a load of Rubbish

Written by Contributor

Monday, 09 August 2010 12:53

No this is not about the England football team's performance in South Africa. This is more serious than that. Just over a month ago, the Council of San Fulgencio started to enforce a local by-law, regarding the leaving of Garden Rubbish and Domestic Appliances and Building Rubble next to the waste bins provided for normal household rubbish. The Council, designated areas where the residents of La Marina, could take their rubbish. Where were these tips located? In the middle of the Urbanisations. There are at least five of these tips dotted throughout the area and the largest of these being on the south west corner of the Urbanisation of La Marina. It borders the Camino Convenio, one of the main thoroughfares through “San Fulgencio North”. This site is less than one hundred and twenty metres from the nearest dwelling house. It is approximately two hundred metres south of a children’s play area. Since its creation there have been increasing piles of garden rubbish, being dumped. In many places more than two metres high. Also at this site, there are old sofas, chairs, mattresses and household appliances. An interview with one of the Spanish residents, proved fruitless as she denied living in the house and claiming she was only a cleaner. Despite the fact that our correspondent witnessed her coming out of the swimming pool to answer the door. However, in nearby Calle Helsinki, a young German resident was more forthcoming. She stated that the stench some nights was unbearable and that since the creation of this site she has been plagued by rats and cockroaches. They are climbing into her washing machine during the night and she sometimes only discovers them after doing a washing, resulting in bits of cockroaches through her washed clothes. She stated that a few weeks ago, her two year child woke up screaming, with a cockroach on his face. She has spent a small fortune on bug sprays and rat traps but is concerned about using poisons, in case her two year old should ingest them. When asked if she had lodged a complaint, she stated “What is the point? The council don't consult anyone, so why would they listen to a lone voice”. Perhaps there should not be a lone voice. The Citizens Advice Group, who meet every Tuesday morning at the La Marina Sports Complex, between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon, are collecting names for a petition, to have these eyesores and vermin pits removed from the urbanisations and re-sited, in an area where they can do less environmental damage. Shortly after this article was published I contacted a Mr Peter Wessman at European Commission in Brussels. He replied stating that the EU Commission would be in contact with The Town Hall. A short time later the main Refuse Tip on the Camino Convenio was closed. However, following on from this, the Citizens Advice Group was contacted by other residents concerning another of the so called Punto de Limpios.  Atteached is the letter that I sent to the English Language papers in our area. Thought you might like to read this letter I wrote to the RTN and Coastrider way back in Sept 2010.   Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, A few weeks ago, we at the Citizens Advice Group, campaigned to have a rubbish site situated on the Camino Convenio, closed due to infestation by vermin, cockroaches and other unpleasant animals, insects and reptiles. After an article and letter in the English language papers, the site was cleared within a few days. The nearby residents and the Citizens Advice Group were delighted. Particularly as San Fulgencio Council appeared to be taking notice of the desires of the people. As well as following the regulations on the disposal and placing of rubbish tips, in accordance with DIRECTIVE 2006/12/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 5 April 2006, on waste.   However, having just returned from holiday, I discovered an e mail from a resident of C/ Francisco de Quevedo, requesting the assistance of the CAG in reference to the Waste Point sited on their door step. This site, is situated 50 metres south of a Baranca, designed to carry flood waters, caused by the heavy down pours, away from the area. The biggest problem, according to locals, is that when it does rain, it cascades over the defence wall and washes away ground around it. Proving that the defences are inadequate. Photograph attached. Also since the closure of the site at the Camino Convenio, this site is being used more and is now overflowing. It is definitely not being monitored, as at the time of visiting, there was evidence of builders rubbish, household goods and general waste. As evidenced by the photos that I have attached. While I was taking the photographs, I was approached by four separate individuals, who complained about the increased traffic to this waste point. The alleged dumping of waste by local garden centres and according to one gentleman, he witnessed council workers removing diseased palms, from what is known locally as the “Satellite Roundabout”, and later dumping the diseased trees on this waste point. Again, the attached photograph proves the point to be probably true. I understand that some of the residents have already tried to get something done by having discussions with Councillor Juan Antonio Palanca and others on 14th July. But it would appear that they have, pardon the pun, been palmed off, with inadequate excuses. It is my understanding from the EU directive, it is the responsibility of the Town Council for the disposal of waste , “The essential objective of all provisions relating to waste management should be the protection of human health and the environment against harmful effects caused by the collection, transport, treatment, storage and tipping of waste.” ( Opinion of the European Parliament of 9 March 2004 (OJC 102 E, 28.4.2004, p. 106) and Council Decision of 30 January 2006.) Please note that a copy of this letter and photographs have been sent to the following individual, who is basically the EU watchdog on the Environment. Peter Wessman, European Commission, Directorate-General Environment, Unit G.4, BU-5 5/178 , B-1049 Brussels, BELGIUM Yours faithfully, Jeff Wiszniewski, Citizens Advice Group, La Marina Jeff Wiszniewski   Bringing us up to date. I was extremely concerned when the Town Hall re opened the Punto de Limpio. The company charged with keeping this area appeared to be very lax in how it was being used. This resulted in other areas brining their cuttings, etc. to our Urbanisation, for disposal. I have since being lobbying the Town Hall to have matters rectified and we are having a meeting with the concerned neighbours on Tuesday afternoon, 2nd October. We hope that an agreement will be reached that will be suitable to all concerned.