FENCING, boxes, a mattress and carpet offcuts are among the junk being dumped “almost nightly” at a recycling point next to a children’s park.

This was the scene last week, above, at the recycling area opposite Portslade Community College in Chalky Road, Mile Oak, which backs on to Mile Oak Recreation Ground.

Labour councillor Peter Atkinson said it has been a magnet for vandalism for some time but that the flytipping has become a “really awful problem” and is the worst he has seen it.

Cllr Atkinson, who represents North Portslade Ward on Brighton and Hove City Council, said the problem is so bad he has urged the council’s refuse and recycling arm CityClean to use mobile CCTV to monitor the site.

He told The Argus: “The actions of a few ignorant individuals are making this area of Mile Oak look like an absolute rubbish tip.

“It is right next to the Mile Oak Recreation Ground and it looks absolutely dreadful as you walk or drive past.”

“I have urgently requested that the mobile CCTV we have at our disposal be used at this site and that the perpetrators feel the full force of the law.”

He said there now seems to be an “almost nightly occurrence” of flytipping at the recycling point.

He added: “Not only does it bring the area down in terms of our environment but it means CityClean staff have to clear up the mess when they should be employed elsewhere on their normal duties.

“It’s not fair on them and it’s not fair on local residents, most of who have a sense of pride in their local area.”

Council spokeswoman Claire Cooper said: “We have asked our enforcement officers to make regular patrols of the area.

“There are currently no plans to introduce CCTV.”

According to the council’s website, the recycling bins in Chalky Road are intended for people to dispose of paper, glass, cans, textiles, shoes, bras and toys.

But instead, plastic bags full of polystyrene, scraps of carpet, broken furniture, cardboard and plastic boxes, a mattress and even metal fencing panels and piles of bin liners full of waste have been left next to the bins.

Plastic and paper packaging and drinks cans are also strewn across the floor.

Cllr Atkinson said: “One resident has been issued with a fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping in the last month.

“But I’m still pressing for CCTV as I think that will really put a stop to it and hopefully also catch the main culprits.”