Fly tipper blocks off country lane

Feb 11 2009 By Justine Halifax

A DISGUSTING fly tipper who dumped a staggering five-tonne mountain of rubbish in a country lane is being hunted.

Environmental health officers from Lichfield District Council were called to Shaw Lane in Hanch following shocking reports of a huge mountain of rubbish blocking the road.

Officers were forced to close the road after the report proved to be no exaggeration.

It is believed the offender may be involved in the building industry as the illegally dumped mountain of rubbish included builder’s materials such as parts of partition walls and insulation, an old bath, a sofa and white paint.

The site was cleaned up in a joint operation by Staffordshire County Council and Lichfield District Council but council taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill.

The council is now urging residents to point the finger and help it catch the filthy culprit who can expect to pay for his or her crime – with a hefty fine of up to £50,000 and even a spell behind bars. Glen Ogden, the council’s Streetscene Supervisor, said: “Dumping rubbish in this way shows such a blatant lack of respect for the district.

“It’s a criminal activity which we all end up paying for as council tax payers.

“We are investigating this incident which involved roughly five tonnes of waste, and we are very keen for anyone who has seen any suspicious activity to tell us about it so we can take action against the culprits and prosecute them.”

It is believed the rubbish was dumped over the weekend.

Anyone with information, or who saw the rubbish being dumped, is urged to telephone Lichfield District Council on 01543 308999.