A local resident has been fined £1,000 after dumping waste in a countryside lay-by near Bradford on Avon.
Wiltshire Council’s Environmental Enforcement team launched an investigation after rubbish was discovered off Upper Westwood Road in Westwood.
Officers found a large white skip bag filled with garden waste, wood, metal grills, delivery boxes and household rubbish.
Evidence found at the scene led investigators to the resident. When interviewed under caution, they admitted collecting the waste using a friend’s van and dumping it in the lay-by.
They told officers they were unable to use the local recycling centre because the vehicle was classed as commercial, adding that they thought leaving it “out of sight” would not be a problem.
The individual admitted the act was “stupid” but believed it would not cost the council much to clear.
The £1,000 fixed penalty notice has since been paid in full. As FPNs are not criminal convictions, the resident involved cannot be named.
Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Flooding, said the fine showed the consequences of making poor decisions over disposing of waste.
“Choosing to dump rubbish in a layby because a vehicle couldn’t access the tip is not a valid excuse, it’s illegal and unfair to the community,” he said.
“Our teams work hard to keep Wiltshire clean, and we will continue to investigate and penalise those who undermine that effort.”
Cllr Smith wants residents to be proactive when it comes to spotting fly-tipping.
“If anyone spots a fly-tip in the county, or someone disposing of their waste illegally, I’d urge them to report it to us using MyWilts.
“Anyone caught fly-tipping can be ordered to pay a £1,000 fixed penalty notice or be taken to court, where they could face an unlimited fine or imprisonment,” he said.
Wiltshire Council warns that household recycling centres in Wiltshire are for residents to dispose of their own household waste and are not licensed to accept commercial waste, regardless of the size of the business or the quantity of rubbish.
Businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure their waste is handled and disposed of correctly and not left in public areas or taken to household recycling sites.
For more information about fly-tipping enforcement or to report an incident, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fly-tipping.
