COUNCIL bosses have promised a clampdown on businesses illegally dumping their rubbish following a report in the Evening Advertiser.

Rubbish went uncollected for three weeks in the alleyway between the Old Town Caf and Halliday Art Gallery, and traders were furious at the mess that had been left, saying it had attracted rats.

But John Short, director of Swindon Services, said the rubbish that had been left was commercial waste which was not the responsibility of the council.

Fines of up to £20,000 could now be dished out to firms flouting restrictions.

Mr Short said: "This is not the first time that this particular alleyway has been used as a dumping ground by enterprises around that area and we will certainly be more vigilant and take action against businesses illegally dumping in the future.

"Those not using trading companies to remove the waste or not using the council's facilities and purchasing the orange sacks for commercial waste will be prosecuted. It will not be tolerated in the future."

Mr Short said that the council had recently received new powers to allow them to prosecute any businesses dumping waste illegally.

He said: "The means of prosecution has now been devolved to the local councils as opposed to the Environment Agency so we will be taking a more stringent approach and acting accordingly.

"People dumping their rubbish illegally face a fine of up to £20,000."

Local traders welcomed the promise of tighter controls on rubbish dumping.

Diane Lowe, manager of Pizza Express in Bath Road, said: "I think that is fantastic news if they clamp down on dumpers.

"It's really important considering we are trying to encourage people into this area.

"If it looks like a dump, who will want to come here?"

Janet Halliday-Strong, from the Halliday Art Gallery in Devizes Road, said: "I can only speak for myself but I know we always bag it up properly, so where it's coming from I don't know.

"But if people are illegally dumping and the council is going to prosecute them I would be happy about. I would be more than happy.

Phil Andrew, of Philip Andrew estate agents, in Devizes Road, said: "You see a lot of stuff getting dumped around here and the bin men leave it so I think anything like that is a step in the right direction.

"I certainly welcome it. Illegal dumping shouldn't be done full-stop. There are ways and means of getting rid of stuff and hopefully if the council crackdown that will sort it out."

Gareth Bethell