Suspected asbestos waste was dumped and left for about three weeks on the A414 in St Albans.

The pile of rubbish, which includes fencing, black bags, and a bath, was first spotted by Charlie Sawyer three weeks ago when it was only a couple of empty bleach bottles.

Since then, the Colney Heath local says people have added to the waste almost daily - Charlie reported it to St Albans district council (SADC) two weeks ago and was told it could not be immediately moved because the rubbish might contain asbestos and needed to be handled by experts.

Animals had ripped open the bags and Charlie is concerned for their safety, on top of the environmental issues associated with the crime.

She said: “You know, we don’t have lots of green areas , so it’s really upsetting.

“I am 40 years old, I am not an old granny that has nothing else to do except moan about things, but it has really annoyed me.”

Charlie believes it is a common spot for fly-tipping, and suggested either cameras should be installed to catch those responsible or a bollard could stop them driving down the narrow road.

Head of community services at St Albans district council, Debbi White, said they are aware of the fly-tip: “We try to ensure our waste contractor, Veolia, clears fly-tips within seven days of them being reported to us.

“However, where the fly-tip contains suspected asbestos this can take longer to clear as specialist sub-contractors need to be used.”

She described fly-tipping as “illegal and anti-social and leaves a horrible stain on the landscape that many local people find very upsetting”, stressing those responsible will be prosecuted if there is evidence.

SADC was recently awarded a portion of £400,000 by the Herts Police and Crime Commissioner, in order to tackle fly-tipping, fly-grazing, and anti-social behaviour.

A Redbourn fly-tipper was recently sentenced to 15 months in jail, suspended for two years, for fly-tipping in summer 2014.

He was caught through documents found by Herts Police in the waste.

Fly-tipping in progress should be reported to the police on 101, or otherwise to SADC on 01727 809019.