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Environmental enforcement officers are asking the public to provide information regarding piles of asbestos waste that were dumped in the East Hartford area of Northumberland, off the A192 near Cramlington, on or around the 19 July. Approximately 20 asbestos sheets were found, along with between 30 and 40 black bin bags containing asbestos tiles. The bin bags were wrapped with silver masking tape.
Officers are seeking information about both the origins of the waste, and any vehicle that has been seen carrying the waste. Northumberland County Council will seek to prosecute anyone who is caught, through its enforcement team.
Andy Rutherford head of neighbourhood services and highways at the council said:
“Fly tipping not only spoils our countryside, but also adds a financial burden onto residents who have to pick up the cost of waste disposal. This case is particularly shocking, as it involves asbestos, a material known to be dangerous if not handled safely. We encourage all residents and businesses to check the credentials of people offering waste disposal services, and would urge anyone with information about this case to come forward.”
Fly tipping is a country wide issue and cleanup costs are met by the taxpayer through removal and disposal costs. Currently Northumberland is experiencing between 100 and 120 tips per month, and often leads to spoilt, and even polluted green spaces. Dumped waste also poses a health hazard for playing children and wildlife.
Please contact Northumberland Council FirstCall on 0845 600 6400 or Environmental Enforcement on 01670 623462 if have any information. Calls
made will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
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