Two neighbours have accused Newport of a growing rubbish crisis, insisting their campaign stems from documented evidence rather than council criticism.

Hannah Davies, 37, and Carole Maye, who reside on Risca Road, have produced a detailed report highlighting persistent issues with waste management and environmental conditions in their locality.

The pair maintain that their neighbourhood has become increasingly blighted by discarded waste and illegal dumping.

Ms Davies explained that a single image could easily be overlooked as an unusual occurrence, but numerous photographs captured over weeks and months, corroborated by resident accounts and official statistics, reveal an undeniable pattern of recurring problems.

She said the initiative has consistently been grounded in documented evidence. By recognising the efforts already underway from the council and community organisations, she has simultaneously highlighted areas where households continue to experience persistent difficulties. The objective is not to criticise without purpose, but to promote tangible improvements that would serve local residents, businesses and visitors alike. Everyone desires a cleaner Newport, and she hopes this documentation will advance that discussion.

According to the two women, the issue extends far beyond sporadic litter, with the passage behind their residence regularly becoming a site for illegally dumped bulky items and construction debris.

Reports indicate that vehicles have been observed stopping to leave bags of household waste and other discarded materials, leaving local people to address the consequences.

Overflowing containers and scattered refuse have become a regular feature of the street scene.

Ms Davies has initiated a petition urging Newport to examine its waste collection services and environmental strategies.

The document has already collected 583 signatures and points specifically to the existing three-weekly general waste collection frequency as a significant contributing element.

The petition contends that this approach has resulted in regular incidents of illegal dumping, overflowing containers across the urban area, widespread discarded waste, and a worrying rise in rodent activity.

Newport City Council transitioned to three-weekly residual waste collections from June 2023 to reduce the amount of general waste requiring disposal, lower treatment expenses and support achievement of the Welsh Government’s then-target of 70 per cent recycling rates.

Research commissioned by the authority revealed substantial quantities of recyclable materials were still being placed in standard waste bags, prompting the decision to restrict residual waste collections while maintaining weekly food and dry recycling services as the preferred method of directing materials into recycling channels.

Newport Council undertook 2,386 enforcement measures relating to illegal dumping during 2024-25, excluding investigations, the greatest number of any local authority in Wales.

Newport City Council has previously indicated that it shares residents’ frustration regarding illegal disposal and associated nuisance behaviour, emphasising that staff members are actively working every day to address affected locations and strengthen enforcement activities.