Sting in the tail for countryside fly tippers

SCDC fly-tipping enforcement officers.


It could be you that is fined...

The net is closing around ‘white van man’ fly tippers in South Cambridgeshire as council investigators prepare to bring five prosecutions after waste was illegally dumped across the district.

SCDC investigators have gathered information on the tippers – and the householders and businesses that slipped them cash to take their waste away – and are on the brink of taking them to court.

Domestic rubbish, DIY waste and garden cuttings from in and around Cambridge were found dumped, saving the tipper fees for lawfully disposing of it.

Farming and countryside groups have backed the Council’s action as private landowners have a duty to remove fly tipped waste from their land, while local councils pay to clear waste dumped on bridleways and footpaths.

Council waste bosses have said the number of cases of fly tipping tends to increase during the summer months as gates to more parts of the countryside are opened up to the public, but a stark warning has been issued to fly tippers as investigators are stepping up the fight.

Ellen Muirhead from Cambridgeshire Countryside Watch, said: “Dumped rubbish is ugly to look at and can be a serious danger to people and wildlife. If someone offers to take away your rubbish really cheaply think carefully.

"If they dump it in the countryside you could end up with a fine and a criminal record.”

Cllr Sue Ellington, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “Fly tipping costs this council, local farmers and landowners thousands of pounds each year – it’s an utter waste of money.

"We won’t stand for it, and our investigators will track down and prosecute both the fly tippers and the people who paid them to take the rubbish away. We need communities to also unite and if you see fly tipping please report it.”

Bob Lawrence, National Farmers’ Union county chairman, said: “Fly tipping is a serious problem for our members and it’s unfair that farmers have to foot the clean-up bill for those who have no respect for the countryside.

"Dumped rubbish can pollute watercourses, contaminate the land and pose a danger to livestock. We support the Council’s stance on prosecuting offenders and hope any sentences imposed will send a strong signal that fly tipping won’t be tolerated in Cambridgeshire.”

Householders should always check if a business is a registered waste carrier by calling the Environment Agency on 0370 8506506 or visiting www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

Local residents can also take all of their DIY, domestic general and garden waste to County Council household waste recycling sites at Thriplow and Milton, free of charge.

If you see someone in act of fly tipping call the Police on 999. If waste has already been fly-tipped in South Cambridgeshire please contact the Council’s Enviro-Crime Team on 03450 450 500 or 01954 713407.

The five pending cases:

  • March 2012 – Cambridge Road, King’s Hedges – Oak flooring from house restoration.
  • May 2012 – Farmland off Butt Lane, Milton – waste from development of a house including carpets and a toilet.
  • May 2012 – Bridleway in Earith – waste from a shop.
  • June 2012 – Bridleway near Willingham – household waste dumped on the bridleway and in a drainage ditch.
  • July 2012 – Long Drove, Waterbeach – van load of domestic waste including paint tins and toys.


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