Newly-released figures show that recorded incidents of fly-tipping across the Isle of Wight have increased by 30% year on year, to a whopping 749.
In May this year, Island Echo reported that 575 reports of fly-tipping had been recorded locally in 2019/20. Now, figures for 2020/21 show that the number of fly-tipping incidents has risen to 749 – an increase of 30%.
Of those, 679 incidents took place on the public highway, 46 on Council land and 16 on footpaths or bridleways. The figures also reveal the most common types of items to be dumped by Islanders with 484 incidents involving black bags or other household waste, 54 commercial waste, 36 construction/demolition, 30 tyre incidents, 28 white goods, 25 green waste, 23 other electrical, 14 vehicle parts, 7 clinical, 6 animal carcasses and 6 asbestos.
These damning figures will not come as a surprise to many Island Echo readers who have noted an increase in fly-tipping since the Council reduced the opening hours of Lynnbottom and Afton Marsh waste centres. The situation was made worse when COVID struck and the tips completely. Even when the tips did re-open, a booking system made it harder for people to dump their waste – and that remains the case today.
The Isle of Wight Council issued no fixed penalty notices in relation to fly-tipping in 2019/20 and the same can be said for 2020/21. However, 103 investigations were opened with 28 warning letters issued.
These figures only account for waste illegally dumped on public land which has been reported to the authorities – the Country Land & Business Association (CLA) believes these figures only tell half of the story. The vast majority of fly-tipping incidents occur on privately-owned land, painting an even more damaging picture of the financial burden fly-tipping brings.
Tim Bamford, Regional Director of the CLA, says:
“These figures do not tell the full story of this disgraceful behaviour which blights our beautiful countryside.
“Local authorities tend not to get involved with clearing incidences of fly-tipped waste from private land, leaving the landowner to clean up and foot what is often an extortionate bill. The government figures do not reflect the true scale of the crime because increasing reports of fly-tipping on private rural land are not included.
“Fly-tipping continues to wreck the lives of many of us living and working in the countryside – and significant progress needs to be made to stop it. It’s not just the odd bin bag but large household items, from unwanted sofas to broken washing machines, building materials and even asbestos being dumped across our countryside.
“Although the maximum fine for anyone caught fly-tipping is £50,000 or 12 months’ imprisonment, if convicted in a Magistrates’ Court, this is rarely enforced. Unless tougher or more realistic action is taken to combat this kind of rural crime, it will continue to wreak devastation across rural communities This is why it’s crucial that tougher punishments are imposed by the courts.”
Earlier this year an Isle of Wight Council spokesperson told Island Echo:
“The council will investigate reports of flytipping and take action in line with the council’s neighbourhoods enforcement policy where evidence supports such action. Enforcement action could include a number of actions and not just fixed penalty notices.
“Finding the culprits who fly tip can be notoriously difficult and often there is a lack of evidence. It is a criminal offence to flytip and if you are seeking someone else to dispose of your waste you must use a licensed waste carrier.”
Sadly not a surprise. Please make going to the tip more accessible like it used to be.
How many fines were issued, no wonder it is a problem
Exactly. It is a lack of will to do anything at all that is the issue here. The councils woefully inept policy of ‘inform, educate, enforce’ is a complete waste of time. Meaningless drivel by people sat in warm offices on huge council tax funded salaries. The departments evident lack of enforcement speaks for itself and is a disgrace.
As stated this doesn’t surprise anyone- don’t agree with fly tipping but it was bound to happen.Heard a rumour from a good source that charges to dump your rubbish will come at a cost in the near future.
And if the Council make stupid increases to the charges for collecting garden waste fly tipping will continue to increase
This increase in charges on the garden waste bins will just result in more bonfires.
I live in Northampton, on the outskirts of the town, with two minutes walk, and I’m in the countryside. A neighbour recently had a bonfire to burn down the leaves dropped in the recent high winds. They were fined as another resident complained they were burning waste.
What is happening to this world. An elderly gentleman receives a financial fine for burning garden waste. It was eight o’clock at night, on a Saturday night. As for the neighbour who reported him, apparently, “I don’t like the countryside”. So why bloomin’ move here then?
Finding culprits notourusly difficult ?, watching videos and photos of those in the act on The Island on Facebook etc what other evidence is be needed- witnesses/video and the rubbish
This is nothing compared to what it will be. Thank Clouncil!
The council help to create the problem by tip opening and charges,we pay for enforcement, cleaning up etc and possible dark sky ahead so let’s fly tip more under cover of darkness – such great ideas.
When they changed the system for using the tip, I stated there would be an increase in fly tipping, as did many other people. When are those in charge going to realise that they don’t know everything. And that it would not hurt them to listen to the people, instead of their egos.
Perhaps there should be a separate entrance or site so that green waste could be dealt with, it would take the load off normal waste dumping. Perhaps also have somewhere that could take items that can be relifed or reused. Some places on the mainland have shops attached where you can buy stuff at cheap prices.
I don’t know if they make a profit from green waste but they should. If so it would be in their interest to make it as easy as possible for people to get it in there. Aren’t there any farmers who could make a profit from it?
There is already, it’s called a charity shop, whilst genuine donations are welcome too much is only fit for the tip and it’s them that have to deal with it not helpful at all
Whilst the arrogant idiots in the council refuse to use common sense and refuse to keep the tip open in the evenings it is inevitable there will be fly tipping, people who work during the day cannot get to the tip before it shuts.
The bottom line is wake up and start providing a decent service to those who pay your wages, don’t issue warnings to fly tippers, hit them hard such as many councils are doing that they seize the vehicle involved in the tipping and crush it.
Don’t forget that, according to the council, they are the experts and we are the idiots.
Hardly surprising when the council makes it so difficult to get to the tip. I have some stuff to take to the tip but I can’t because I have to wear sandals and they say that you have to wear shoes.
I am pretty sure that this will grow substantially beginning 22nd April next year, when the green bin collection charges rise by 33%.