Tories give green light to litter-bugs and fly-tippers

12.28.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 12th Jan 2005

PPC Laura Murphy, Tories don't understand the importance of a clean environment"

Local Conservative MP Archie Norman is under fire from local 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 prospective parliamentary candidate for Tunbridge Wells, Laura Murphy said:

"Archie Norman has let down local residents, businesses and farmers suffering from graffiti, fly tipping and abandoned cars by voting to reject this important Bill.

This is a smack in the teeth for the local services who only this week were praised by members of the public for their attempts to deal with abandoned cars in the area. This Bill would also support the police in tackling the graffiti in places such as the railway station and Morrisons.

The Conservatives have said they do not think the measures in the Bill are needed in rural areas such as that surrounding Tunbridge Wells, even though it was supported by the National Farmers Union. Do they live in the real world? They clearly care little about farmers whose land is at real risk of being repeatedly used by fly-tippers.

The Tories 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."