COUNCILLORS are paying £25,000 for a new fence to stop flytipping on a site overlooked by the East Coast mainline.

The land at Jacques Terrace in Chester-le-Street has been used as an illegal tip for old household appliances and even a caravan.

Now Simon Henig, Durham County Council’s Labour Leader and his fellow councillor for Chester-le-Street West Central, Linda Marshall, have dipped into their neighbourhood budget in response to concerns about residents.

They hope that installing a higher and more secure fence will stop the problem for good.

Coun Henig said: "This is a very prominent site in Chester-le-Street and is also very visible from the East Coast mainline. I hope that the new fence will stop the fly tipping once and for all."

Prior to the fence being installed the embankment near the site will be cleared.

The Neighbourhood Budget gives each councillor £25,000 a year that can be spent on neighbourhood issues or Area Action Partnership initiatives in their area.