Figures released this week by the government show incidents of fly-tipping across Sedgemoor – including Burnham-On-Sea – have fallen by a 306 incidents to 1,161 in a year.
The fall – which is part of a county-wide drop of 8.7% – coincided with greater efforts to deter fly-tippers through new equipment, warning signs and training for district enforcement officers.
Sedgemoor and other councils are moving to reduce the fly-tipping ‘supply’ by urging residents and businesses to check if those removing rubbish – such as builders – have the correct waste carrier’s licence.
Clearing up Somerset’s fly-tipping costs Sedgemoor and the other district councils a total of around £150,000 a year, with the County Council contributing about £36,000 in 2012/13.
Councillor Richard Burden, Portolfio Holder for Environment, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This is a big step in the right direction but we can reduce this anti-social crime even further with residents’ help.”
“People in the district can play a vital role by reporting suspicious activity and giving evidence, as this remains a tough crime to deter or prosecute.”
“One thing we can all do is to ensure our own household or business rubbish is not fly-tipped; just ask anyone taking it away – builders, gardeners and other tradespeople – for their waste carrier licence.”
Anyone spotting a fly-tip or fly-tippers is advised to stay safe and report the incident with as much detail as possible from a visual inspection only to Sedgemoor District Council’s customer services team on 0845 408 2543 or customer.services@sedgemoor.gov.uk.
Pictured: Fly-tipping in Burnham-On-Sea’s Stoddens Lane
