FLY-TIPPERS have been slammed after they put lives at risk by dumping a lorry load of household waste and tree cuttings in the middle of a Malvern road.
Malvern Hills District Council was notified of the incident on Friday when a pile of waste was ditched on the road towards Martley from Ankerdine Road.
The mess was initially moved to the side of the road and made safe before the district council sent a specialist cleaning crew to remove the rubbish on Monday.
Coun Bronwen Behan, portfolio holder for the environment on the district council, said: “Those responsible for dumping this waste not only broke the law but recklessly endangered the lives of motorists using that road.
“If anyone has any information about who is responsible for this then I would urge them to report it to us.
“Fly-tipping is not a harmless crime. It costs the taxpayer and landowners money to deal with, inconveniences the public and, as in this case, can be dangerous.
“We investigate all major fly-tips and where we find evidence we will prosecute.”
Residents have also being urged to play their part in tackling fly-tipping by ensuring they only use authorised people or companies to take away their waste.
If they do not and their waste is later illegally dumped then they could be prosecuted, as under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 people have a duty of care to ensure their waste is properly disposed of.
Residents should check the individual or firm they are using has a proper waste carrier licence which they can do by visiting www.gov.uk/find-registered-waste-carrier.
Fly-tipping can be reported online by visiting www.malvern hills.gov.uk/report-it.
