CHARGES for collecting bulky waste should be scrapped to deter flytippers, say the Liberal Democrats.

Currently Waltham Forest Council will carry out one collection, equivalent to 10 bags of waste, for free.

But residents are charged for anything above this.

The Liberal Democrat group, which holds the cabinet portfoilio for the environment, says it is in discussions with council officers about cutting the charges - or scrapping them altogether.

Cllr John Macklin, Lib Dem leader, said: “A resident who wanted to dispose of an item not on the ‘free’ list pointed out that the charge could be seen as encouraging people to flytip in order to avoid paying the fee - and with the council picking up the tab to clear the item up."

In addition to potentially scrapping the fees, the Lib Dems are also calling for more money to tackle flytipping enforcement.

But Cllr Macklin has not made it clear how the cost of removing the charges and of funding extra enforcement would be met.

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter