Unfortunately our countryside is becoming a regular dumping ground for fly tippers. We hear stories and we see many examples of how this self-generated pandemic is rife across the UK, nowhere, it seems is sacred, and fly tipping is increasing.
Locally, the country lanes around Peasmarsh have been a recent target with Starvecrow Lane being a favourite with fly tippers. The photo shows a pile of black rubbish sacks dumped last week (I estimated between 15-20 bags) along the lane on the verge, some already torn, presumably by animals or vermin looking for food but thankfully, Rother District Council (RDC) came to the rescue once again.
The bags were reported to RDC: it’s an easy process and if you follow the link Fly tipping – Rother District Council it’s very straightforward. Within days, a team arrived to collect the bags and clear up the mess and you wouldn’t have known there had ever been anything dumped by the time they had finished.
It’s very easy to criticise the council, as they are a soft target after all but credit where credit is due and hats off to them on this occasion. Their system for reporting fly tipping works a treat, it’s fast, efficient and at each stage you are kept informed of progress. The sad fact is, they are having to employ and pay a team to clear up this illegally dumped waste which costs us, the rate payers, money.
Why do people do it? Is it because they couldn’t care less about the countryside or is it because getting rid of waste has become more difficult and more expensive? Whatever the answer is, fly tipping is on the increase but by reporting it to the council we know they will take appropriate action and their diligence is very much appreciated.
It’s a shame money has to be spent on clearing up mess, as there are so many other areas where that money could be better spent if RDC had a choice.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .