A Slough resident has been issued a £1,000 fixed penalty notice (FPN) after fly-tipping household waste in a layby near Beckhampton, Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Council Environmental Enforcement officers discovered multiple black sacks of household waste dumped in the layby. Enquiries carried out by officers enabled the waste to be traced back to the person responsible.

Following an investigation, the person admitted dumping the waste. They told officers that they had been experiencing issues with bin collections in Slough and that their local household recycling centre was closed. They explained that they were driving through Wiltshire on their way to work and that, due to the cold weather, using the vehicle’s heating had caused the waste to smell, prompting them to dump the bags in the layby.

The resident was issued with a £1,000 fixed penalty notice, which has now been paid in full. As fixed penalty notices are not court convictions, the person cannot be named.

Wiltshire Council takes fly-tipping seriously and continues to take robust enforcement action against those who dispose of waste illegally. Environmental Enforcement officers investigate all reports of fly-tipping thoroughly and take enforcement action wherever the evidence allows.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “Fly-tipping is completely unacceptable, regardless of the circumstances, and causes harm to our environment and local communities. Dumping waste in the countryside can pose risks to livestock, wildlife and pets, damages local areas, and results in time and money being spent clearing waste that should never have been dumped in the first place.

“Difficulties with waste collections or access to recycling facilities elsewhere do not justify dumping waste in Wiltshire. There are always legal ways to manage household waste, and no one has the right to dispose of it illegally in our county.

“Our Environmental Enforcement officers will continue to take firm action against fly-tipping wherever the evidence allows. Enforcement action such as this sends a clear message that we will not tolerate illegal dumping and that those responsible will be held to account.”

For more information on how the council tackles fly-tipping, or to report an incident, visit: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/fly-tipping.