Written by William Kellett
Incidents of fly-tipping on public land have increased by 2% across England in 2019/2020, according to new figures released by Defra.
While councils in England have dealt with just under one million fly-tipping incidents during this period, these figures account for waste illegally dumped on public land reported to these authorities.
However, the vast majority of fly-tipping incidents on privately-owned land, which are thought to be “significantly more”, aren’t included.
Representing around 28,000 rural businesses across England and Wales, the Country & Land and Business Association (CLA) believes these figures do not fully reflect the severity of the situation.
Mark Bridgeman, president of the CLA, said:
“While these figures are alarming, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
“Part of the problem is that it’s currently too simple to gain a waste carrying licence that enables firms to transport and dispose of waste – and this needs urgent reform with correct checks put in place.
“A revamped system would act as a deterrent.”
‘Sharing the brunt of costs’
Bridgeman continued:
“One CLA member, who is regularly subjected to fly-tipping, is having to pay £50,000 each year for rubbish, such as tyres, fridges, tents, barbecues and building waste, to be cleared.
“Although the maximum fine for anyone caught fly-tipping is £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment, if convicted in a Magistrates’ Court, this is seldom enforced.
“Unless tougher action is taken to combat this kind of rural crime, it will continue to increase.”
The most common size category for fly-tipping incidents in 2019/20 was equivalent to a ‘small van load’ (34% of total incidents), followed by the equivalent of a ‘car boot or less’ (28%).
The most common place for fly-tipping to occur was on highways (pavements and roads), which accounted for over two fifths (43%) of total incidents.
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