FLYTIPPERS are using countryside spots between Barrhead and Neilston as a dumping ground – despite there being a recycling centre just five minutes away.

Waste ranging from bin liners and takeaway wrappers to suitcases and even vacuum cleaners has been found strewn across several sites – notably Johnny Blue’s Well, off Springfield Road – sparking fierce complaints from the community.

Neilston Community Council (NCC) has regularly raised the issue of waste being dumped with East Renfrewshire Council (ERC).

The Johnny Blue's Well “dumping ground” – which community councillors say has been a problem spot for decades – lies underneath a railway arch and was once a farm track.

NCC chairman John Scott said: “It’s been ongoing for years. The council comes and clears it then sooner or later it appears again.

“The problem is it’s under the archway of the railway bridge, at the end there’s an entrance to the field and people can dump safely without being seen.

“The road’s not used very much at all. It’s a single track with minimal traffic and used to be a farm track. It tends to be commercial rubbish, you’ll get the odd fridge.

“We’ve got a good disposal facility at Barrhead with the cowp. I really don’t understand the mentality.”

When the News visited Johnny Blue's Well last week we found a range of household items littering the site.

Flytippers had even left the majority of the mess in plain sight on a single track next to Springfield Road.

Neilston residents have taken to social media in recent weeks to vent their anger over the eyesore.

Facebook user Frank Holmes wrote: “Shocking if they can cart it all the way up there they must have transport, so what’s the problem with taking it to the Barrhead dump and re-cycling centre?”

While Margaret Pettigrew said: “Really sad. It is so easy to take it to the recycling at Carlibar. People do not know how lucky they are to have that service on their doorstep.”

An ERC spokesman said: “We regularly monitor known fly-tipping areas and will investigate this recent issue in Neilston.

“It is important the community report people who they see blighting their communities in this way. Our free, 24-hour confidential Ring and Report hotline is 0800 013 0076 and we encourage residents to use it.”