TORIES GIVE GREEN LIGHT TO LITTER BUGS, FLY-TIPPERS AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Jan 2005

Local Conservative MP Anthony Steen is under fire from the Liberal Democrats for opposing important measures to help councils protect the local environment.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill will grant tough new powers to tackle litter bugs, fly-tippers, fly-posters and other types of antisocial and criminal behaviour that damage the environment.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson for Totnes, Mike Treleaven, said:

"Mr. Steen has let down local residents and farmers who are suffering from fly tipping, abandoned cars and litter problems by voting to reject this important Bill.

The Conservatives have said they don't think the measures in the bill are needed in rural areas like ours. This is an astonishing claim. Do they live in the real world? They clearly care little about farms whose land is repeatedly used by fly tippers.

The Conservatives are rejecting an opportunity to provide much stronger environmental protection in both town and country. They do not understand the importance of a clean and safe local environment to the quality of people's lives"