29-Aug-2006
- The Environment Agency and Avon and Somerset
police took part in spot checks on vehicles carrying
waste in the Dundry area of the city in a bid
to curtail the menace of fly tipping.
Pc Jackie McDonald, the beat
manager for the area based at Nailsea, together
with officers from the South West region Environmental
Crime Team from Bridgwater stopped and checked
11 vehicles on Wednesday, 16 August. Environment
Agency officers are now processing the information
gathered to identify appropriate enforcement action.
The aim of the stop checks was
to tackle the fly-tipping and environmental crime
in the Dundry area, and particularly East Dundry
Lane, and target illegal waste carriers. To carry
controlled waste legally, traders must be registered
with the Environment Agency.
The latest campaign is funded
by Defra’s Landfill Tax initiative BREW ( Business
Resource Efficiency in Waste) and is designed
to tackle fly-tipping all the way down the waste
chain. It targets businesses that turn a blind
eye to where their rubbish goes, and to unscrupulous
tippers who charge for rubbish removal and then
dump it illegally.
As well as the road stops, the
campaign includes investigation of fly-tipping
incidents and prosecutions, and free support and
advice for businesses to improve their management
of waste.
‘The campaign is aimed at identifying
unregistered carriers in the Bristol area. Many
illegal businesses think we won’t do anything
and they’re getting away with it, but not any
more. Often, illegal carriers are involved in
other crime so we are working with Avon and Somerset
Police to make sure we catch them,’ said Clare
Rogers, Area Campaign Manager.
‘We are also able to provide
advice to drivers on their responsiblities on
the carrying of waste, and how to register with
us.’
‘Businesses have a duty of care
to dispose of their waste properly. We are encouraging
people to take responsibility for their own waste
and ensure it does not get into the hands of these
illegal operators. We are also trying to support
businesses who are operating within the law, by
levelling the playing field and catching the illegal
operators.’
The penalties for illegally
dumping waste have recently increased. Offenders
who fly-tip waste will be prosecuted and face
fines of up to £50,000.
Paul Gainey
