STREETSCENE ISSUES: FLY TIPPING AND LITTER

We have contacted our East Dorset District about litter and fly tipping, as they are not able to recover, or deal, with all incidents.  We asked about various fly tipping issues and below are listed the guidelines.  They are guidelines only as it is quite a complicated area.

1. Rubbish in ditches or watery places.

The Environment Agency usually deal with areas of heavy pollution in rivers, streams etc and expect Local Authorities to deal with the smaller incidents in ditches on public land, e.g.: microwave in ditch at side of road. Report incidents to the LA as they should then pass it on.

2. The Local Authorities cannot collect and dispose of rubbish on private grounds, they can only try to find out to whom the land belongs and notify them.

This includes Forestry Commission land. However, they can as a local authority under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005, issue a Litter Clearing Notice to a private land owner if the land has become defaced by litter and refuse and is seen as detrimental to the amenity of the area.

3.  They cannot ask people to collect litter off the verges on roads with no pavements or room for safety  

As I am sure you will appreciate, litter picking on all roads is a hazardous activity and on roads with no pavements or room for safety more so. Litter picking can only be carried out on such roads under controlled conditions with the appropriate signing and protection for the work force.

4.  We asked the Local Authority for their position on the dumping of garden waste. We know it eventually rots down but it can enrich the soil and impact on local flora and fauna, also of course garden plants can get a foothold in wild areas where they are not wanted. It makes no difference whether the fly tipping is garden waste or a fridge or builders rubble, the offence is the same. Fly tipping is a criminal offence (section 33 of the Environmental Protection act 1990 (Fly tipping) and anyone found guilty can be fined up to £50,000 in a Magistrate's court and /or up to 5 years in prison.
 

If you have any queries, please contact:

West side of East Dorset : PPendray@eastdorset.gov.uk

East side of East Dorset: AMoss@eastdorsetdc.gov.uk

Christchurch: environmental.services@christchurch.gov.uk

Bournemouth: ask@bournemouth.gov.uk