Huge 130ft-long river of garbage is dumped on nation lane – simply days after Britain’s largest fly-tip appeared in Oxfordshire
- Have YOU seen the vast fly tip? Email [email protected]
A huge 130ft-long river of fly-tipping has been found dumped less than a mile from a recycling centre.
Investigations into a country lane in Avonmouth, Bristol have commenced after it became the latest victim of Britain’s fly-tip epidemic with tonnes of waste scattered across the land.
The mound of rubbish appears to be expanding on a daily basis and is expected to cost £20,000 to clear up, according to Bristol Waste.
And shocking footage shows the extent of the grim dumping ground with nappies, plastic, pallets, household furniture and plastic tanks scattered everywhere.
A drone clip sees vast quantities of rubble tossed selfishly along the now disused road.
Bits of fencing, old sofas, unwanted mattresses and decrepit bath tubs are also visible from above.
The boundaries of the fly-tip are marked by a patch of grass on one side and a thick bank of hedgerow on the other with the river of rubbish almost reaching the main road.
Items containing addresses of homes and businesses were also found in the heap – which is to be analysed as part of an ongoing investigation.
It comes after officials confirmed they were investigating Britain’s largest fly-tip in Oxfordshire.
It has been suggested a crime gang could be behind the 500ft-long pile of waste dumped in the countryside.
A huge 40m-long river of fly-tipping has been found dumped on a country lane in Avonmouth, Bristol less than a mile from a recycling centre
Investigations into the area have commenced after it became the latest victim of Britain’s fly-tip epidemic with tonnes of rubbish scattered across the land
The dump is located a few hundred yards from Bristol Waste-run household waste centre.
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council, said: ‘Officers have assessed the site and are now making arrangements for the right equipment to be sent to clear this sizeable and illegal dumping of waste.
‘Material that could link the waste to residential and business addresses has been found and will now be analysed as part of an investigation into the source of this fly-tipping. If the opportunity arises to prosecute perpetrators we will not hesitate to act.
‘Fly-tipping like this is often linked to unlicensed waste carriers. It’s important that anyone who is paying someone to take away their waste has appropriate licences in place and can produce evidence of these licences when asked for it.
‘Always ask your contractor to evidence their credentials before paying for their services.’
Avon and Somerset Police declined to comment.
The mound of waste appears to be expanding on a daily basis and is expected to cost £20,000 to clear up, according to Bristol Waste
Shocking footage shows the extent of the grim dumping ground with nappies, plastic, pallets, household furniture and plastic tanks scattered everywhere
The dump is located a few hundred yards from Bristol Waste-run household waste centre
Bits of fencing, large tanks, plastic bags and old sofas are visible from above
The cost of removing the 50ft-wide, 30ft-high mountain in Oxfordshire could be more than the entire annual budget of the local council.
The pile of rubbish, which has been dumped illegally, appeared just metres from the river Cherwell next to the A34 near Kidlington and is thought to weigh hundreds of tonnes.
It is believed the waste was dumped in one go and it has since been described by an MP as ‘threatening an environmental disaster’.
It was discovered last month by horrified anglers and contains shredded plastic, foam and wood mixed together with what appears to be earth. It is not known exactly when the mountain appeared.
Some of the rubbish has fallen down because it was so tall, which has left the waste just five metres from the river.
Now experts are pointing the finger at an unidentified crime gang after a spate of fly-tipping incidents that have been traced back to criminal networks.
Charity Friends of the Thames said the illegal rubbish dump was created by an organised crime group.
It said no visible containment or mitigation measures appear to be in place.
A crime gang could be behind one of Britain’s biggest ever fly-tipping incidents which has seen a 500ft-long pile of waste dumped in Oxfordshire
The charity’s chief executive, Laura Reineke, said: ‘This is an environmental catastrophe unfolding in plain sight.
‘A mountain of waste has been allowed to build up just metres from the river Cherwell – an illegal landfill sitting on the floodplain of one of our most important waterways.
‘Every day that passes increases the risk of toxic run-off entering the river system, poisoning wildlife and threatening the health of the entire catchment.
‘The Environment Agency must act now, not in months or years – which is their usual reaction time. This is exactly what happens when environmental crime is ignored – and it’s our rivers, wildlife, and communities that pay the price.’
The Environment Agency has obtained a court order to close the site to all public access for at least six months.
