Another local fly tipping case has resulted in a conviction.

Last year waste including plastics, suitcases, furniture and cardboard was fly-tipped and set on fire on land belonging to Network Rail at Nibley Lane Railway Bridge, Iron Acton. Avon Fire & Rescue Service had to be called on two occasions on July 21 and October 12 to deal with the incidents.

A local man was fined £1,500, £750 for each fly tipping offence and ordered to pay costs of £2,000 to South Gloucestershire Council when he appeared at court on June 26th.

In court he claimed he had permission to cut down wood and foliage from the area around the railway bridge and needed to burn excess foliage such as brambles. However, environmental protection officers were able to trace some of the waste back to St Peter’s Hospice charity shop in Chipping Sodbury. The man was captured on CCTV removing items donated to charity from the rear of the premises.

Officers also spoke to him near the railway bridge when they spotted him there in his lorry. Residents had also called the council to report the fly-tipping and quoted seeing a lorry parked nearby with the same vehicle registration.

If you see anyone fly tipping in South Gloucestershire, please report it by calling 01454 868000 or online via the South Glos website. At that link you will also find other useful information on flytipping.

It’s worth noting that if you use a waste carrier, it’s your responsibility to make sure they are properly registered. If not and your waste ends up fly tipped, you could be fined up to £5,000. To avoid this, South Glos advises:

• ask to see a copy of the company’s waste carrier registration certificate, and where your waste is being taken. Legitimate firms will be happy to provide this information
• you can check whether your waste carrier is registered by calling the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 or on line at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/publicregister
• ask for a registered trading address and telephone number – not just a mobile phone number
• ensure you have an official receipt and make a note of the registration number of the vehicle taking the waste away, along with the waste carrier’s licence number
• do not be tempted by “cash in hand deals” or cold callers and if in doubt, say no and contact the Envirocrime team for advice on 01454 868001.

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