A huge pile of stones, rubble, planks of wood and rubbish has been fly-tipped by busy St Albans roads.
At some point over the weekend, the waste material was dumped by Smug Oak Lane and Drop Lane in Bricket Wood, blocking access to the former HSBC centre.
A Park Street Neighbourhood Watch spokesperson described the crime as blatant: “It must have been a substantial project, involving concrete breakers and a digger to load it - to say nothing of a three ton tipper, or bigger, which may have made several trips to dump it.”
The watch implored people with information to get in touch as “someone must know who’s doing this and where the rubble comes from”.
Head of Community Services at SADC, Joe Tavernier, said the council will arrange for the Smug Oak Lane fly-tip to be cleared because it is on public property.
However, he added: “The other two fly-tips on Drop Lane are on private land and it is the landowner’s responsibility to clear these.
“We have offered advice on how best to do this.
“Fly-tipping creates an unsightly blot on the landscape. It also costs the council a lot of money to clear up waste dumped at the roadside. We treat fly-tipping very seriously and will seek to prosecute or fine anyone caught dumping waste.
“Householders and businesses should also be aware that they have a duty of care to dispose of their waste legally. If they fail to use an authorised carrier, they could face prosecution as well.”
This follows a few notable fly-tipping incidents in and around St Albans over the last couple of weeks.
On Furzebush Lane a pile of wood debris was strewn across a road and about 20 fridges were dumped on Tower Hill Lane and Symondshyde Lane, off Coopers Green Lane.
Additionally tyres and trade waste were left in communal bins at a block of flats in London Colney, angering residents.
A large tree stump was also ditched in a lay-by in Wheathampstead. This was cleared quickly by SADC.
Anyone who spots fly-tipping taking place should contact police on 999. Anything discovered after the event should be reported to SADC on 01727 809019 or on wastemanagementservices@stalbans.gov.uk
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