Reports show some London boroughs facing a 100 per cent rise in the crime


images: @PutneySocial

The three large flytips were discovered just around 7.15am today (30th April) on Putney Park Lane. It is believed that Putney Park Lane may be a remnant of a medieval lane that once provided access to The Pleasance, the site of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Putney Park hunting lodge.



The lane was laid out by the early C18th as a formal tree-lined drive for a house built on the site of the former hunting lodge and later became the access to a number of grand houses built here including Granard House, Putney Park House and Dover House.

With Council tips closed due to Corona-19 the Countryside Alliance commented that a number of reports across the country have indicated a rise in the number of fly-tipping cases, despite the calls from the Countryside Alliance and local authorities to keep activity which may generate excess waste to a minimum. Figures from waste dumping reporting app ClearWaste show that overall fly-tipping is up 76 per cent, with some London boroughs facing a 100 per cent rise in the crime.

Speaking to MPs, it has been reported that the Housing and Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick has said: "Our bin men and women have done a fantastic job maintaining the vast majority of collections,” and went on to say: “Today I can announce that I am asking councils to plan the organised opening of household waste collection sites."

In a statement, Sarah Lee Head of Policy at the Countryside Alliance said: “With no near end to the lockdown in sight, local authorities will need to assess the feasibility of re-opening recycling and refuse centres as matter of urgency. While it does seem like re-opening centres is the most obvious answer to stopping fly-tipping, social distancing guidelines and staff safety will no doubt form a big part in the decision to re-open. We also can’t risk people filling up a car with rubbish and being turned away only for it to then be dumped elsewhere, illegally because centres can’t cope.

She added: “Until an official decision is made by individual local authorities, if people need to hire a private refuse collection service, please ensure they are a registered waste collector first. We are fully aware that rogue operators profit from charging cheap fees, who then dump the rubbish in the countryside. They often advertise on social media and offer deals that some find tempting. In reality, this comes at a massive cost to both the environment and tax-payer. Please also plan any activity which may produce excess waste in accordance with the relevant collection advice from your local authority. There can never be an excuse for fly-tipping, please help us stop it”.



Cllr Steffi Sutters, Cabinet Member Community Services & Open Spaces (pitured above) told this website:"I cannot even begin to express my dismay at seeing this huge flytip in Putney Park Lane. If anyone heard or saw anything, or recognises any part of the load that could lead us to find out who is responsible, please do come forward. And remember if you are having waste collected, always use a reputable company who will provide you with a Waste Transfer Note to evidence that they are disposing of your waste responsibly. By taking care to use licensed operators we are taking care of our environment."

A council spokesman said: “This shows just what councils are up against when it comes to professional flytippers.Cowboy waste contractors often drive around residential areas looking for homes that are being refurbished or cleared. They will approach the owner and offer to take “junk” away for a cut-price rate – and then drive around the corner and dump it, leaving taxpayers to foot the clear-up bill.

“In these cases it is not just the flytipper committing a crime – the householder who paid them is also liable under the law. They might not think they’re doing anything wrong – but in reality they are committing an offence for which they could face serious legal sanctions as well as getting a criminal record. If households choose a private contractor they must make sure they check they are licensed to handle waste and also get a proper receipt."

Anyone with information about rubbish being dumped should telephone (020) 8871 6396. All calls will be treated in confidence. Information can also be submitted via flytipwitness@wandsworth.gov.uk.

The decision regarding reopening the tip on Smugglers Way is not the Councils to make - this is run by www.wrwa.gov.uk

April 30, 2020