TWO roads in Frome will be closed next month as the district council is being forced to take radical measures to try and stop illegal fly-tipping in the area.
Part of Berkley Lane and Dark Lane will be closed for a year and a half from April, as Mendip District Council tries to crack down on the persistent dumping of rubbish in the ‘hotspot’ to the north-east of the town.
Ian Glover, enforcement officer at Mendip District Council said, “This temporary road closure will make it as difficult as possible for fly-tippers to access this area, and we will also be stepping up our surveillance to try to catch the culprits.
“I would ask local people to get in touch if they know who may be responsible so we can investigate further.
“It’s also important that anyone paying a contractor or a ‘man with a van’ to take away their rubbish asks to see the contractor’s waste carrier licence, to ensure the rubbish will be disposed of correctly. You have a legal duty of care to take reasonable steps to ensure a licensed waste carrier removes your waste or you risk ending up in court with a criminal record and a fine of up to £5,000.”
Criminals regularly dump waste illegally around the Gypsy Lane, Berkley Lane and Dark Lane areas of Berkley, causing what the council called an ‘ugly blight’ on the countryside.
The 18-month road closure will begin on Monday 11th April. It will affect Berkley Lane from the north side of the Pines Residential Site to a point just before the railway bridge towards Berkley village. The closure also includes the entire of Dark Lane.
Enforcement officers will also be stepping up patrols in the area to collect evidence.
Residents living close to the area have been informed of the closure and signs will be put in place.
Cllr Philip Ham, Mendip’s portfolio holder for transformation said, “I’m hopeful that this road closure, coupled with additional enforcement work, can make a real difference to the council’s commitment to tackle fly-tipping.
“I would like to apologise in advance to anyone living locally that is inconvenienced by this road closure, but I hope that you will understand it forms a key part of our efforts to tackle these criminals.”
To contact the council to report fly-tipping call 0300 303 8588. You can also email customerservices@mendip.gov.uk or report directly online – www.mendip.gov.uk/streetclean
You can also contact Crimestoppers to make an anonymous report of the fly-tipping you have witnessed. Call 0800 555111 or go to www.crimestoppers-uk.org
