Warning after asbestos dumped in Arun

Officers from Arun District Council cleared the rubbish from Church Lane in Pagham, Lake Lane in Barnham and Shripney Lane in Shripney, which is thought to have been dumped by unlicensed traders, after reports from passers-by.

Each of the three incidents happened earlier this month and within days of each other. They all contained household rubbish, such as old building units and sections of walls from a kitchen demolition.

Asbestos was found in the rubbish dumped in Lake Lane, which had to be expertly cleared – with every single piece of rubbish needing to be double-wrapped for safety before removal from the site and disposal.

Paul Dendle, Arun’s cabinet member for environmental services, said: “This council will not tolerate anybody who commits fly tipping. It is an anti-social and criminal act which blights our countryside and there is absolutely no excuse for it.

“Many people think passing their rubbish to someone else to get rid of solves their problems. In fact, they have a legal responsibility to make sure their rubbish is disposed of properly.

“If their waste is later found dumped, they are liable and could end up in court. We have a long history of successful prosecutions for people we do catch.”

Report incidents of fly-tipping to Arun District Council on 01903 737754.