Cllr Liam Walker has expressed concern after new figures revealed a significant increase in fly-tipping incidents across West Oxfordshire during the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
The latest data from West Oxfordshire District Council shows a worrying trend, with fly-tipping incidents increasing by 43% in January, 14.5% in February, and a staggering 90% in April. While March recorded a slight decrease of 0.6%, and May remained unchanged, the overall picture points to a significant rise in illegal waste dumping across the district.
Cllr Liam Walker said: "These figures are deeply concerning and show that fly-tipping continues to be a growing problem across West Oxfordshire. Our communities deserve clean streets, country lanes and public spaces, not piles of illegally dumped waste that blight the environment and cost taxpayers money to clear up."
"Conservative councillors have consistently raised concerns that changes to household waste recycling centres, including the introduction of the booking system, could have unintended consequences. While fly-tipping has a range of causes, these figures reinforce the need for the council to carefully examine what is driving this increase and whether current policies are having an impact."
Cllr Walker said he wants to see tougher enforcement against offenders alongside a review of measures that may be discouraging residents from disposing of waste legally.
He added: "We need a common-sense approach that makes it easier for people to do the right thing while coming down hard on those who deliberately dump rubbish in our communities. Fly-tipping is unacceptable, and we must do everything possible to reverse this trend."
The Conservatives will continue to press West Oxfordshire District Council to prioritise tackling fly-tipping and ensure residents have confidence that effective action is being taken along with lobbying the Lib Dem County Council administration to scrap their tips booking system.
Data Source: West Oxfordshire District Council 2026 data compared with the same period in 2025.
