Fly-tippers dump tons of waste on industrial estate
Tons of rubble and waste have been dumped outside an industrial estate for a second time in a month - forcing businesses to fork out hundreds of pounds to clear the mess up.
Fly-tippers have emptied construction debris on an access road to Coppice Side industrial estate in Brownhills. The pile has been dumped in the middle of the road and includes carpets, chipboard and barrels.
It comes after 10 tons of rubbish, bricks and trees was dumped at the same site on October 27, before being cleared up three days later.
Mr David Walker, manager of Pro Fit Tyres and Exhausts, said the latest load had been dropped yards from his factory.
"It looks awful, it's an eyesore and it could prevent emergency vehicles from getting on to the estate.
"This happened less than a month ago and on that occasion a few of us chipped in to get rid of it, at a cost of nearly £600.
"We haven't experienced fly-tipping here before but unless the estate is properly policed, it's going to happen again.
"The site has been hit by burglaries recently. Just last weekend someone was caught dismantling a van and there have been thefts of diesel fuel. It's becoming a picking ground for crime."
Mr Walker said the 15-ton pile, dumped on November 23, appeared to contain debris from a fast-food restaurant refit.
He contacted the firm concerned, but they insisted the matter was nothing to do with them.
He said "It was even worse last time. No-one seems concerned because the estate is on private land.
"We have to pay for getting it shifted but some of these loads may contain asbestos which would cost more like £1,000 to get rid of.
"It's not fair on working people like ourselves. Some firms have CCTV cameras fitted but not everyone can afford it.
"It's getting to the point where we're worried about breaking up for Christmas for fear of what will happen when we are not here."
Mr Walker, aged 45, also contacted the environmental health department about the incident. An officer was despatched to investigate and spent an hour sifting through the rubble.
West Midlands Police spokeswoman Sarah Asbury said: "Fly-tipping is the concern of the local council, it is not a criminal issue."
