A Shirley resident has spoken of their ‘relief’ after a cutaway that had been subjected to fly-tipping for more than a year was finally cleared by the council.

Keith Adams, 76, of Testwood Road, had called the alleyway behind his home ‘no man’s land’ after nobody had accepted ownership of the area. 

This led to a year’s worth of rubbish to amass in the deserted walk through – including a freezer, clothing, and household waste.

However, after speaking to the Echo earlier in November, Southampton City Council has since cleared the rubbish as a ‘goodwill gesture.’

Keith told the Echo the council said it was not responsible for the area but said they would come round and clear the rubbish.

Daily Echo:

He added: “That was on the Friday and then to be fair on the Monday morning, two gentlemen were out here clearing everything away in the back of a tipper lorry, it must have taken them two or three hours.

“I didn’t know they were there at first and heard shovelling, I thought someone might have been fly-tipping again!”

READ MORE: Southampton man's fly tipping hell in alley behind his flat

Daily Echo:

Prior to the council clean-up, the fly-tipping had become so bad that it was being ‘used as a toilet’, and Keith’s former neighbour had moved away – quickened by the fly-tipping mess.

With the rubbish removed, Keith is now hoping the days of walking through litter to get to his home are over, as he’s made his own ‘no fly-tipping’ signs, designed to deter potential criminals.

Daily Echo:

“I’ve made a couple of simple signs that I’m going to screw to the wall”, said Keith.

“It’s such a relief to go out there and not have to pick through it all.

“It only takes someone to stop and look at the sign and realise that people are keeping an eye on it.

“Hopefully it will make a difference.”