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Council appeals for information after asbestos dumped in forest

Wiltshire Council is appealing for information after a large amount of asbestos and other waste was dumped in the Savernake Forest near Marlborough

Published 6 July 2023

Wiltshire Council is appealing for information after a large amount of asbestos and other waste was dumped in the Savernake Forest near Marlborough.

The rubbish was found by a member of the public who was walking in the forest, just off the A4 main road.

The fly-tip has been dumped on Forestry Commission land, which will now arrange a costly specialist clean-up as the landowner.

Anyone who has information about the fly-tip can report it to the council under strict confidence, and if their evidence leads to a conviction or fixed penalty notice for the offender, the witness will be entitled to a high street shopping voucher worth up to £200.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport and Street Scene, said: "Have you had any asbestos removed from your property recently or know of anyone who has? Do you know anyone who has asbestos in their roof removed? If so, you may have information we need to help us catch these environmental criminals.

"We suspect that the person who had the work done on their property would have expected the waste to be removed legally, as most of the asbestos is wrapped in plastic, so there has been some care to remove it safely from the property.

"We think the waste, which includes a tent and other rubbish, may have originated in the Swindon area, as some of the waste is in Swindon Borough Council branded bin bags and someone may recognise this.

"Unfortunately, there is around two tonnes of hazardous waste here, which will cost the Forestry Commission tens of thousands of pounds to safely remove.

"It's appalling that someone should dump this dangerous waste in a Wiltshire forest, so we'd appeal to anyone who has any information to let us know in confidence. If their information leads to a conviction, they will receive a reward of up to £200.

"We're Targeting Fly-tippers here in Wiltshire, and if we can find who has dumped this rubbish, we will be taking legal action against these environmental criminals."

To share information about this case in confidence, or to report fly-tipping, people should visit My Wilts or call 0300 456 0100.

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