Fine for ten tonne flytippers in Leeds
A Doncaster tarmac company has hit a bump in the road and has been fined £5360 after illegally dumping ten tonnes of waste in an east Leeds neighbourhood.
In April 2017 a large fly tip was found at the end of Kingfisher Lane in Aberford, Leeds. The rubbish had to be removed by the council's highways team as it weighed approximately ten tonnes. Within the waste, which consisted of tarmac, rubble, grass, pipes and letter, evidence was found relating to three members of Highways UK Contractors Limited, a road surfacing and repairs company based in Doncaster.
On 14 June 2018, the company and its director pleaded guilty to the offence at Leeds Magistrates Court. Highways UK Contractors, has been ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling £3230, whilst the director of the firm, Sandra Groggins was ordered to pay a total of £2130 (including the fine and costs).
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council executive board member for the environment said:
"We do not tolerate flytipping in Leeds, especially where there are clear instructions advising people not to do so, as there was in this case.
"Removing such a large amount of flytipping is costly to the council and in turn the tax payer, with one tonne of waste costing over £120 to fully remove and dispose of.
"While we prefer to work with residents and businesses to educate and encourage people on proper ways to dispose of rubbish, there are times when we have to take immediate legal action and clean up to protect communities – we are not afraid to do this and do our very best to track down offenders."
For more information about flytipping and how to report incidents in Leeds visit https://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/environmental-health/flytipping-and-waste-issues