Fly-tippers dump rubbish in Walsall yards from prosecution warning sign
Brazen fly-tippers have dumped piles of rubbish on land in Walsall - just yards from a sign warning of prosecution action if caught.
A mattress, paint buckets and black carrier bags have all been dropped on land off Slacky Lane, between Goscote and Pelsall.
It has proved a fly-tipping hotspot over a number of years and Walsall Council introduced signs to warn that surveillance would be used to monitor the area.
Bollards have also been put in place but it has failed to deter the culprits who have dumped waste again on the land, owned by Severn Trent Water, and has been left there for around a week-and-a-half.
The water company has said the clear up of the sewage treatment works site is due to be completed by the end of the week.
Pelsall councillor Marco Longhi said he had received complaints for villagers who have seen the unsightly pile of waste build up.
"It is a well established hotspot," he said.
"This is probably the most fly-tipped spot in the whole of Walsall, if not the most it is in the top three.
"We need to do something about enforcement, more over something about a permanent solution. We need to make it more difficult for fly-tippers."
The council has mobile cameras which can be deployed across the borough and also launched a reward scheme to encourage information and lead to convictions.
It was revealed the cost of dealing with all fly-tipping in Walsall was around £140,000 in the last financial year.
There were almost 400 fridges dumped between last June and September.
Severn Trent Water spokesman Grace Marren said: "We have experienced fly-tipping a few times at our sewage treatment works.
"We have had bollards up to prevent it from happening but unfortunately it has happened again. We are arranging to have it cleared by Friday morning.
"It is frustrating for us but obviously we will work hard to prevent it from happening in the future. We are working closely with Walsall Council."
Councillor Chris Towe, portfolio holder for environment and public protection at the council, added: "As this land is partially owned by Severn Trent we are liaising with them to clear the site and hope to work with them and any other interested parties to discuss ways to clamp down on fly tipping in this area.
"Fly tipping is a criminal offence - anyone who can provide evidence that leads to the successful prosecution of a fly tipper can earn a £100 reward."
