Rubbish tip changes '˜encouraging' fly tipping

Louisa Redhead, of Livesay Crescent, said that much-used Bashford Lane, which her garden backs on to, has been used for fly tipping since West Sussex County Council reduced tip opening hours and introduced charges as a savings measure.

The 35-year-old, who has lived in Broadwater since June, blames changes at the tip for the waste on the lane, which is ‘much-used’ by dog-walkers and pupils going to school, adding: “Opening all sorts of funny hours is encouraging this really.

“It’s probably happening in other areas too. It needs to be highlighted to the council.”

She is worried about the ‘upsetting’ effect of fly tipping on their elderly neighbours.

Louisa’s partner Murray Clarke, a photographer, said their neighbours – 80-year-old Michael Rose and his wife Ann – found the waste pictured dumped outside the entrance to his garden from the lane, blocking access.

Murray said that residents came to help his unblock the entrance and remove the appliance’s doors for safety in an act of ‘camaraderie’ but said the situation is becoming a ‘big safety hazard’.

“The lane is a thoroughfare and technically a public highway but because the council claim that it is private land they refuse to remove the waste, despite our complaints,” he said. “Michael is a pensioner and can’t afford the pay £65 to the council every time someone decides to fly tip outside of his house.

“We believe the situation will only get worse in light of the council’s decision to start charging tradesman to take their waste to the tip.”

Tony Patching, head of waste management and cleansing services at Adur and Worthing Councils, said: “We monitor instances of fly tipping very carefully and can report that there has not been an increase in numbers since these charges were introduced earlier this year.

“Unfortunately it does still occur but when reported, as your reader has done, we attend to it immediately and continue to monitor for repeat instances.”

A spokesperson for West Sussex County Council said: “We continue to work closely with our district and borough colleagues to monitor fly-tipping across the county and have not seen a noticeable increase in fly-tips since the changes were implemented on the 1 October.

“Fly-tipping is a criminal offence and can carry a fine of up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment if convicted in a Magistrates Court.”

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