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TORIES REFUSE TO CRACK DOWN ON LITTER, GRAFFITI AND ABANDONED CARS

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Conservative MP for Hexham, Peter Atkinson, has voted against giving local councils additional powers to tackle fly-tipping, litter, graffiti, fly-posting, dog fouling, nuisance noise and abandoned cars. The Tories claimed the measures in the Government's Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill were unnecessary and that the Bill focused "predominantly on urban areas".

But the bizarre stance of Mr Atkinson has been undermined by the revelation that the Bill has received the backing of the National Farmers Union, as well as all 3 main parties, including the Tories, at the Local Government Association!

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Hexham, Andrew Duffield, commented; "The Clean Neighbourhoods Bill has the support of the Liberal Democrats, although the committee stage will need to sort out the Labour government's jumble of pre-election populist measures and ensure it really is effective environmental legislation.

"Peter Atkinson and his tiresome Tory colleagues are completely wrong to reject this Bill, which will give much stronger protection to our countryside as well as urban areas. He clearly cares little for farmers whose land is repeatedly used by fly-tippers.

"All the evidence I have seen suggests that penalties are not strong enough to deal with problems such as fly-tipping, graffiti and the sheer volume of rubbish on our streets. Liberal Democrats will continue to push for tough action on green issues like this, even if the Tories prefer to ignore them."

18 January 2005

ANDREW DUFFIELD - PPC

Hexham Courant

Highway Robbery