A FROME resident is calling on Mendip District Council to do more to combat the ongoing fly-tipping problem in the Gypsy Lane area.
Local man, Ashley Reay, who lives nearby to Gypsy Lane, says that despite attempts by the district council to combat fly-tipping in the area, including road closures, the problem persists. He has suggested that the council should make more regular checks of the area and clear rubbish more often.
A Freedom of Information request by Ashley revealed that the road was cleared twice in 2018 – once in March at a cost of £4,784, and again in December at a cost of £1,910.
Ashley said, “As a nearby resident of Gypsy Lane, I have watched with increasing frustration over the past few years at the reduction in attempts to reduce the vast amounts of litter and general waste that collect there. I have great sympathy for the council, I know that money is short, but the council needs to spend more time clearing up the area – once or twice a year is not enough!”
To combat the fly-tipping problem, Mendip District Council enforced road closures in the area in 2016, closing Gypsy Lane to vehicles. Concrete barriers were also erected to restrict access. Berkley Lane was also closed, from the north side of the Pines Residential Site to its junction with Dark Lane.
Ashley said, “When the road was open, fly-tipping occurred along the entire road. Since its closure, the tipping has been concentrated in a very small area in front of the Pines Residential Site. This is coupled with enormous amounts of ‘white waste’ scattered along the road from outside the rugby club right down to, and past the Pines residential area.”
In response, a Mendip District Council spokesperson told Frome Times, “Mendip District Council are aware of the ongoing issues at Gypsy Lane and are applying measures to combat the issues. We are currently working with local residents and adjacent land owners in order to apply suitable measures. It is foreseen that these measures will be applied in spring 2019 and as such, a large scale clearance of the site will be arranged in support of this. Following this, normal scheduled clearances will be arranged as issues are reported to us.
“Local residents can also help us tackle fly-tipping by checking that anyone who is disposing of their rubbish carries a waste carrier licence. If they don’t have a licence, don’t use them. Residents have a legal duty of care to take reasonable steps to ensure a licensed waste carrier removes their waste or they risk ending up in court with a criminal record and a fine of up to £5,000.
“We would ask anyone who witnesses fly-tipping to contact the council’s customer services team to pass on any information they have as this evidence could be crucial to ensure fly-tippers are caught. To contact the council to report fly-tipping, or if you have any waste-related enquiry, call 0300 303 8588. You can also email: customerservices@mendip.gov.uk or report directly online – www.mendip.gov.uk/streetclean.”
