Winchester City Council urges people to store waste responsibly following fly-tipping increase
Winchester City Council has reminded would-be fly-tippers that they risk large fines and imprisonment, following a recent spate of incidents in the district.
The most recent case was a large trail of waste, including various kitchen items and building materials, that blocked a rural road in Southwick.
The council’s waste removal team spent a morning clearing up the site at Portchester Lane and discovered evidence at the site to aid a prosecution.
The latest incident comes as there has been an increase of waste being dumped across the district with five reported in the last ten days, including a hoover and a mattress being dumped on the A32 between Wickham and Droxford.
Cllr Neil Cutler, Deputy Leader and ward member for Southwick & Wickham, said:
“Fly-tipping at this time diverts teams away from the frontline of waste collection and in this case more importantly, could have blocked emergency service vehicles from attending those in need. We would ask householders, where possible, to store rubbish until the waste recycling centres reopen, and remind people that if they pay someone to take away this material, and this is subsequently fly-tipped, both they and the fly-tipper can and will be prosecuted.”
Fly-tippers can be fined up to £50,000 and may also be imprisoned for up to five years.
To report a fly-tip either call 0300 300 0013 or report it online by visiting https://www.winchester.gov.uk/forms/ShowForm.asp?fm_fid=349