TEIGNMOUTH is in danger of becoming ‘BINmouth’ as more commercial bins crowd the town centre streets.

Businesses in the town are required to have a commercial bin for waste but increasingly, the large, industrial-size refuse containers are causing obstruction on the pavements. 

In addition to creating issues for pedestrians, the bins are now attracting fly-tippers.

Teignmouth councillor David Cox believes there should be an ‘agreed approach’ to reduce the numbers of commercial bins left permanently on roads and pavements. 

He says residents and businesses are fed up with the unsightly appearance and negative impact.

As well as creating an eyesore and attracting fly-tipping and littering, the bins are also obstructing the pavements and creating hazards. 

The Teignbridge Blitz Team are clearing up, almost daily, fly-tipping by unauthorised trade bin areas.  

Cllr Cox said: ‘I understand local businesses have a tough time with the ‘cost of living crisis’ right after Covid, so any solution must be reasonably priced. 

‘I’m getting more complaints from residents and businesses. 

‘We need joined up thinking to find an acceptable solution, before a zero-tolerance scheme is imposed on traders.’

Part of the problem is more business owners are putting trade bins on the highway.

More and more commercial bins are being stored on the highway which is illegal under the Environment Act unless they are being left out specifically on collection days. 

Cllr Cox said: ‘Not only do they create an eyesore but also attract anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and littering.

‘They also provide a nuisance obstructing pavements and creating hazards.’ 

Council can take enforcement action under section 47 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, with large fines for trade bins left on the highway.

Such waste can be cleared by Teignbridge Council’s Blitz team but Cllr Cox says, within days, the problem re-occurs. 

He said there have been incidents with residents using mobility scooters risking falling over or falling off by having to negotiate riding off the pavement to get by the bins. 

And he said the rubbish dumping and littering is costing tax payers money by increasing visits by the Blitz clearance teams.

Cllr Cox accepts it is a ‘tricky issue’ but a way forward.

One fly-tipper is risking a district council fine after leaving a printed address on dumped cardboard left next to one of the commercial bins. 

Other premises which have CCTV are recording registration numbers of vehicles which dump rubbish by the bins.