Council appeal to find culprit who dumped asbestos sheets

The fly-tipped pile Photo TDC

Thanet council is appealing for help to find the culprit who  fly-tipped waste in St Nicholas-at-Wade.

It was left at Chambers Wall, St Nicholas-at-Wade over the weekend and looks like a large garden clearance.

The pile includes asbestos sheets which need specialist disposal. It may have come from an old garage or outbuilding and was left blocking the access across the road. It was probably dumped by a tipper vehicle.

Cllr Lin Fairbrass, member for community safety, said: “Over the course of the weekend a large scale fly-tip took place at Chambers Wall, St Nicholas at Wade. There was a substantial amount of asbestos in sheets which may have come from an old garage or outbuilding.

“The bulk of the waste appears to be the result of a large garden clearance, including old outdoor furniture and cuttings. The waste appears to have been dumped from an LGV tipper truck.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen the incident taking place, or who recognises the garden waste from our photographs to get in touch with our team in confidence. Without this help it could prove very difficult to track down the culprits.

“Asbestos when damaged presents a significant risk to health. It should always be removed by an experienced, licensed contractor as hazardous waste, and disposed of at an approved site. Fly-tipping is illegal and the removal of it takes up a lot of resource.

“Last financial year Thanet District Council spent over £100k clearing fly-tipped waste. We do prosecute whenever possible as well as issuing fixed penalty notices of up to £400.”

If you can help, please email [email protected] in confidence.

Last year TDC dealt with 1700 incidents of fly-tipping which cost over £100,000.