Illegal Dumping Angers Locals

Residents of one Lancashire village are livid after more than 150 tyres “mysteriously” appeared on a canalside path. The tyres were discovered by a resident out for an early morning walk in the village of Rishton.

Local officials from Hyndburn Council believe that the tyres were dumped there by ‘fly-tippers’ wishing to avoid paying hazardous waste disposal fees. A large vehicle dumped the tyres alongside the canal at night, but was not witnessed doing so.

A 2006 EC Landfill Directive prevents tyres from being disposed of as landfill, and instead they are now classified as hazardous waste. The illegal disposal of tyres can lead to heavy penalties, including an unlimited fine and up to two years imprisonment. Hyndburn Council, having experienced another case of tyre dumping less than a month earlier, is consulting the Environment Agency in the hope of bringing charges against the fly-tippers.