SELFISH fly-tippers dumped seven tonnes of decomposing waste in a lay-by on the Fosse Way – leaving taxpayers to foot another clean-up bill.
The fly-tip, reported to Rugby Borough Council at around 5.30pm on Tuesday April 18, was on the Fosse Way near Wibtoft, just off the junction with the A5.
Evidence suggests the rubbish had been processed and had started to decompose before it was dumped.
Temporary traffic lights had to be installed while a council crew carried out a five-and-a-half hour clean-up.
Officers from the council’s environmental protection team have launched an investigation to try and establish the source of the waste.
Sean Lawson, Rugby Borough Council’s head of environment and public realm, said: “Fly-tippers cost the taxpayer millions of pounds a year, with Rugby alone facing a clean-up bill of £57,000 in 2016.
“This latest major fly-tip in the borough was carried out in broad daylight and the fact the waste appears to have been processed suggests it was the work of commercial fly-tippers, possibly posing as a legitimate waste disposal firm.
“I’d urge anyone who witnessed the fly-tip or who has any information which could help our investigation to contact our environmental protection team.”
The council has joined Keep Britain Tidy’s #CrimeNotToCare campaign to crackdown on fly-tipping.
The campaign is spreading the word that a householder or business has a ‘duty of care’ to check whether a company or individual has a Waste Carrier Licence. If rubbish gets fly-tipped, the owner of the waste still has a legal responsibility and faces prosecution and a fine.
Residents can check whether an individual or company has a Waste Carrier Licence by calling the Environment Agency on 0370 8506 506.
Anyone with information about the fly-tip on the Fosse Way should contact the council’s environmental protection team at [email protected] or on (01788) 533533.
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/flytipping for more information about #CrimeNotToCare, or to report fly-tipping.
