Concerns have been raised over a potential health hazard of rubbish being dumped near food shops and businesses in Reading.

Recently, large amounts of bagged up rubbish were dumped at the Amity Road junction with London Road in East Reading.

The rubbish was located near a long row of food shops and businesses in London Road, such as Ye Babam Ye, Up the Junction, Black Opal tattoo artists, Reading Pizza & Piri Piri, Maharaja Sweets and the Sklep Spożywczy.

The issue has been raised by Rajinder Sandhu, a former Conservative councillor for Upton in Slough, who regulary visits Reading.

He called the fly-tipping a “health hazard”, arguing that commercial waste bins should me moved from Amity Road to the rear of the shops they belong to.

The issue has also been highlighted by cllr Rob White (Green, Park) along Wokingham Road shopping area.

A photo he tweeted showed overflowing bins and a large amount of waste dumped around them.

Reading Chronicle: ubbish dumped in the precinct of takeaways and shops in Wokingham Road, East Reading. Credit: Councillor Rob Whiteubbish dumped in the precinct of takeaways and shops in Wokingham Road, East Reading. Credit: Councillor Rob White

Cllr White called for residents to report dumping on the Love Clean Streets app.

Reports can also be made on the Love Clean Reading app, or by calling 01189 373787.

A spokesperson for the council said teams were dispatched to investigate the waste and remove it yesterday (Monday, October 31).

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They added: “The council is aware of on-going issues in these areas, and regularly attends Wokingham Road and Amity Road to advise residents and businesses on correct waste disposal procedures.

“Rubbish on council-owned land reported to us will be cleared by our Street Cleansing Team within five days of receiving the report.

“Waste accumulations on private property are the responsibility of the landowner to clear, but we are able to request that land is cleared within a reasonable period of time and if it isn’t we will look to proceed with enforcement action.”

The spokesperson also encouraged residents to check what can and can’t be recycled by visiting the council website or the Re3cyclopedia app.

They continued:  “Our waste collection crews only collect recycling bins that contain the correct items, and any bins containing non-recyclables are reported as contaminated with residents needing to remove any contaminant material from their recycling bin before their next scheduled collection in order for it to be emptied by our crews.

“General waste will only be collected if it can fit in the general waste bin with the lid closed.”

READ MORE: Fresh call for kerbside glass recycling in Reading amid claims of delay tactics

The spokesperson added that excess waste should be  taken to the re3 centre on Island Road, or removed by a registered waste removal company, but residents should keep receipts and check where their waste will be taken.

Finally, they said: “Please do not present excess general waste next to your bins as this will not be collected and may be investigated as fly-tipped waste.”