£1,000 Bill After Cherwell Flytipping

14 March 2013, 06:00

4,000 kilograms of rubbish has been dumped over three days on a village road in Oxfordshire, costing taxpayers almost £1,000 to clear up.

Last Wednesday morning (6 March) Cherwell District Council received reports of flytipping on an unnamed road near Piddington Gate Farm in Piddington.

Five members of the council’s street cleansing team spent about an hour-and-a-half clearing the road, only to have to return two days later after a second bout of flytipping was reported.

The combined cost of the clear up and removal of the waste is expected to have cost about £978.

Cllr George Reynolds, deputy leader for Cherwell District Council, said: “Any form of flytipping should be condemned but to target the same area twice within a matter of days is deplorable.

"To dump such a large quantity of rubbish in a rural location shows a blatant disregard for the environment, residents and motorists, not to mention the taxpayers who have to foot the clean up bill. This is not only damaging to the environment and wildlife in that area, but it also poses a real risk to motorists using that stretch of road.

"Flytipping costs taxpayers thousands of pounds each year through incidents such as this so we would encourage anyone with information to come forward to not only help protect the environment, but also taxpayer’s money which could be better spent elsewhere.” 

Stan Hearn, vice chairman of Piddington Parish Council, discovered the first bout of flytipping and said: "I was very disappointed and absolutely amazed that people could be this inconsiderate. Cherwell’s street cleansing team did an excellent job cleaning it up and I want to extend my thanks to everyone involved."

Council investigators are linking the incidents as in both cases materials including plasterboard, felt, ply board, bricks and a skylight were recovered, suggesting those responsible were involved in the replacement of a flat roof. Council officers are also keen to trace a white Transit-style tipper lorry which was seen in the area.

Anyone with any information about either incident, or who knows of any roofing work being undertaken in the area, is urged to contact the council’s environmental services team on 01295 227007.