Fixed penalty for Royal Wootton Bassett fly-tipper

The supermarket car park has become a hot-spot for fly-tipping. Wiltshire Council's environmental enforcement team has issued more than £1,200 in fines to people fly-tipping at this location, and the team is currently investigating two further incidents captured on CCTV as a result of joint working with Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council.

The site is owned by Wiltshire Council but leased to Sainsbury's, which is responsible for clearing fly-tipped waste and litter in the car park.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Transport, Highways and Waste, said: There has been an unacceptable amount of fly-tipped waste at recycling points across the county, particularly at this location, which has become a hotspot for people dumping waste, despite the numerous 'no fly-tipping' signs.

Leaving items next to the recycling banks is not acceptable, and we regularly receive complaints from residents about the waste being dumped in these locations, which often ends up being blown around as litter, encouraging rats, maggots and flies.

When one person fly-tips waste next to recycling banks, it encourages others to fly-tip larger items or domestic waste. Bags and items not placed inside the recycling bins often end up being removed and disposed of, rather than being recycled. 

We would like to thank Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council for monitoring the site and providing Wiltshire Council with CCTV footage of this incident.

Cllr Steve Watts, Mayor of Royal Wootton Bassett, said: Most of us have tried to store the additional waste and recycling at home, and adjusted to the increase of waste by using bin collection services, or using roadside recycling points.

But I'm afraid to say that a minority have not. They have taken to blighting our countryside, parks and private land with their waste and disguising their fly-tipping by dumping it at recycling centres in the hope that no-one would give them a second glance when unloading bags of rubbish.

Dumping waste that is not accepted at these centres, such as the one at the Royal Wootton Bassett Sainsbury's car park, is an offence. 

As some have now found out, we as a town council are actively gathering evidence and handing our findings to Wiltshire Council. 

Taking care of our own health begins with taking care of our environment. At this time of year, any fly-tipping will encourage unwanted vermin, and with this vermin comes disease. I urge anyone witnessing fly tipping to report it as soon as possible.

You can report fly-tipping online or by calling 0300 456 0100.