Investigation after hazardous waste is dumped

A COUNCIL is investigating one of the worse cases of fly tipping in its district after five tonnes of hazardous waste was dumped in the middle of a rural road.

Under the cover of darkness on Monday night the waste was dumped in the middle of Stutton Lane, Stutton, which is a rural road linking the parishes of Tattingstone and Stutton, near Ipswich.

The waste, believed to be the remains of a prefabricated building, contained asbestos and resulted in the road being closed for a day and a half.

Fortunately, Suffolk police and Suffolk County Council acted swiftly to put a road closure in place and Babergh contractors cleared the waste, which has resulted in a cost of around �2,500 to the council taxpayer.

Due to the severity of this incident of fly tipping, Babergh is now working closely with the Environment Agency to catch the culprits.

Daniel Whymark, Babergh’s local environmental quality officer, said: “This is one of the worst cases of fly tipping we have come across in the district. Not only has the culprit dumped a large volume of hazardous waste leaving the tax payer to foot the bill, but they have dumped this in the middle of a road which is complete disregard for public safety.

“While we investigate all incidents of fly tipping, this is a severe case and we are pleading with anyone who may have any information which could help us catch the culprits to come forward.

“We would particularly like to hear from any witnesses, anyone who recognises the waste, anyone aware of any demolition work in the area recently and anyone who has arranged for this type of waste to be disposed of recently.”

Fly tipping is a criminal offence with a maximum fine of up to �50,000 and/or a prison sentence which is five years if it is hazardous waste.

Anyone wishing to contact the council with information should call Babergh’s environmental protection team on 01473 825889.