Monday June 29th 2026
Fly-tipping
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
Fly-tipping in one Glasgow area has jumped by 67 per cent as residents are being encouraged to report any incidents.
The Canal council ward, which includes Possilpark, Milton, Cowlairs and other neighbourhoods, has seen a rise in fly-tipped rubbish from 738 cases in 2021 to 1,236 cases in 2025 to 2026.
It comes as deep clean teams are due to blitz Lambhill and Milton on July 27 and the Maryhill Road corridor next week. They are currently on site at Possilpark and are due to return again on August 24.
Councillor Fiona Higgins highlighted the “67 per cent” increase in fly-tipping at a full council meeting yesterday and asked “why response times in the Canal ward are consistently among the slowest in Glasgow?”
In response, Councillor Laura Doherty said: “Reported fly-tipping in the Canal ward has risen from 738 cases in 2021 to 2022 to 1,236 cases in 2025 to 2026.
“Residents are encouraged to keep reporting these incidents so we can act quickly and build enforcement cases. Therefore some of this increase reflects improved reporting rather than a direct rise in incidents.
“However we do recognise the impact on communities that the blight of fly-tipping can have. Much of the fly-tipping in this ward involves bulk waste left at longstanding informal collection points, which leads to recurring issues. ”
The convenor for neighbourhood services and assets added: “The target response time for clearing fly-tipping is five days. In the Canal ward the average has been about three days over recent years which is within the target.
“However we recognise that this doesn’t always match residents experience particularly at repeat hotspot locations. Environmental health continue to investigate offences and take enforcement action where evidence allows. This also includes site specific inspections, gathering evidence and issuing fixed penalties.
“Officers will work with local businesses to ensure that proper waste arrangements are in place.”
SNP Councillor Doherty was answering Councillor Higgins’ queries about the dumping of rubbish in her ward.
Councillor Higgins asked: ” In light of reports that fly-tipping incidents have increased by around 35 per cent across the city and by approximately 67 per cent in the Canal ward since 2021/22, can the relevant convenor explain why
response times in the Canal ward are consistently among the slowest in Glasgow, and how the council ensures that its reported average response
time of one day accurately reflects residents’ experience?”
