A clear up and investigation is underway following two serious fly-tip incident in country lanes.
As EnviroCrime officers continue with the recent fly-tip investigations, witnesses are being asked to come forward with information that could lead to a successful prosecution, with rewards of up to £500 available.
The fly-tips were discovered on Shire Lane, Keston and Skibbs Lane, Orpington in the morning Friday and Sunday respectively. Both incidents caused major roadblocks in the country lane, mostly or entirely blocking the road.
The dumped rubbish found on Shire Lane consisted of several torn bin bags, carpet material, a children’s goal post, large containers, wooden planks, and an excess of other household waste items. On the other hand, Skibbs Lane was almost exclusively obstructed by wooden boards and pallets.
The result of the tipping caused a significant danger to road safety as the rubbish was scattered across the road, obstructing over half (or all) of the narrow country lane, causing road users to need to take evasive action to avoid the hazard. Due to the unanticipated roadblock on Shire Lane especially, vehicles were left with no choice but to switch to the opposite lane in order to give way to oncoming traffic.
Councillor Angela Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement, said: “We investigate each and every fly-tip, with these incidents being particularly serious, but our clean-up team responded quickly and efficiently to restore the country lanes back to public use standard. If there is anyone who has any information about the fly-tipping, I would encourage them to share this information with the council in support of our investigation.”
Anyone who needs to report an enviro crime, including fly-tipping, can visit www.bromley.gov.uk/envirocrime, with rewards of up to £500 available for information leading to prosecution.
Residents are being reminded of the importance to carefully check whether tradespeople they employ have a waste carriers’ licence. Residents are advised to ask to see the permit to check what kind of waste disposal or recovery the business is registered for. In addition, the register can be checked by going to the Environment Agency website at https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers or by calling 03708 506 506.
Investigations show that dumped rubbish has often occurred as a result of gardening work or as a result of building work, with the fly-tips either caused by an unscrupulous trader or even by the householder. Fly-tipping problems can quickly and easily be reported on the council’s website www.bromley.gov.uk/report.
Ends
Notes to editors:
- The council operates an enviro crime reward scheme with rewards of up to £500 available for information leading to the successful prosecution of offenders.
- The offence of fly-tipping is set out in section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The maximum penalties for fly-tipping on summary conviction are a £50,000 fine and/or twelve months’ imprisonment. On conviction in a Crown Court the maximum penalties are an unlimited fine and/or five years imprisonment.
For media enquiries, please contact David Aderogba, public affairs officer, on 020 8313 4745 or email david.aderogba@bromley.gov.uk