A RESIDENT says that St Julians is being turned into a “rubbish tip” following several episodes of fly tipping.

John Preston, 58, of Gainsborough Drive, says litter has collected in large accumulations across the estate.

Milk bottles, cans, crisp packets and even matresses have been left to line the streets, he says, as the pavements themselves are kept tidy by the council.

Even green space at the bottom of Piper Close has not escaped litter louts, as the approach to the open ground is marred by refuse.

“People walk past this when they are walking their dogs and children are going to think this is the way we have to live. The worst thing about it is most of it is recyclable,” he said.

Mr Preston works as a driving instructor, and says as a result he gets to see the amount of littering in different areas.

But in his opinion the approach to the fields, which overlook the River Usk, is by far the worst.

“You’ve got to walk through all this rubbish to get to the view. Take it away and it would be beautiful again,” he said.

Mr Preston said some of the larger items of waste have been removed from land adjacent to Rembrandt Way and to help speed up the process, his wife Sandra offered to pick up some of the other litter herself. She was told this was not an option in case there were needles discarded amongst it.

“Everyone should have the right to live in a clean environment,” Mr Preston said.

Lyndsey Stewart, assistant corporate policy officer for the council, said the waste team are currently investigating into whose responsibility it is to clear up the affected areas.

The council have a team which deals with fly tipping and littering, but some of the land belongs to Newport City Homes, who have their own litter pickers.

“We all want a cleaner, greener Newport, and we all need to work together to ensure this,” she said.