Corby, Kettering, East Northants and Wellingborough councils reveal lockdown fly-tipping

From Monday, (May 18) Northamptonshire County Council's recycling centres are set to re-open to allow householders to get rid of items, after more than a month of lockdown closures.

In line with guidance from DEFRA, the council is asking that only essential journeys to recycling centres be made, and only if waste or recycling cannot be stored safely at home without causing injury, harm or risk to health.

The household waste recycling sites have been shut to help stop the spread of Covid-19, as any people have been using lockdown to clear out lofts, and redecorate rooms.

Figures from Corby, Kettering, East Northamptonshire and Wellingborough councils show that the number of reported incidents of fly-tipping were down March and April compared with last year.

However, figures from Wellingborough council's waste partners, Norse, show that the weight of fly-tipped waste picked up by their staff had increased from with the 'tonnages for fly-tipping, with outstanding collections' rising from 58.26 in April 2019 to 64.64 for the first 24 days of April 2020.

Reported fly-tipping incidents in Wellingborough during the first month of lockdown were down with 83 reported for the whole of April 2019 and 67 for the first 24 days of April 2020.

Wellingborough council leader, Cllr Martin Griffiths, said: “We are spending a lot more time at home at the moment and this might seem like the perfect time to have a clear out or finish off that DIY project.

"However it is important that items are disposed off legally, not only to protect our countryside but to avoid a hefty fine.

"Officers will investigate all reports of fly-tipping with a view to prosecute anyone found dumping their waste in our borough.

"Please keep items stored at home until you’re able to take them to the household waste and recycling centres or use a licensed waste collector if absolutely necessary.

"Using an unlicensed waste carrier may result in a fine, always check their full credentials before agreeing to use their service."

At the end of April, DHL courier Thomas Spence avoided a head-on collision with a pile of fly-tipped fence panels as he used roads near Wollaston.

This morning, Corby resident Richard Minárik discovered DIY junk strewn in a field entrance in the Welland Valley by the side of the Gretton to Rockingham road.

Both men reported the incidents to the appropriate councils.

Figures from Corby council show that in the first month of lockdown, reports of fly-tipping are down, year on year, from 145 in 2019 to 98 in 2020.

Kettering Council has also had fewer numbers of fly-tipping incidents reported to them with in the first month after lockdown 103 calls in comparison to 142 in 2019.

Corby and Kettering councils joint refuse service attend the scene of fly-tipping aided by in-cab technology, that can help collectors pin-point the rubbish that is then collected during routine daily rounds. If the rubbish is too large then a separate vehicle is sent.

Cllr Ian Jelley, Kettering council's Environment and Strategic Delivery portfolio holder said: " I am dismayed, particularly during Covid-19, by people who think it is acceptable to illegally dump their rubbish instead of disposing of it properly and putting our work force and the general public at risk.

"Apart from the fact that the local council and tax payers have to pay to have it removed fly-tipping can have a massive impact on the environment.

"In the current climate we understand that it is difficult, with the amenity tips closed, but please store you rubbish safely and do not present any additional bags of refuse next to your black bin.

"The general public should be under no illusion, that if you are caught in the borough of Kettering fly-tipping, you will be prosecuted."

East Northamptonshire council had seen a rise in fly-tipping incidents in March 2020 with 101 reports. In March 2019 there were 20 fewer.

A spokesman for East Northamptonshire council said : "East Northamptonshire Council has seen an increase in the number of fly-tipping reports and cases from January – March this year.

"We are all spending more time at home and may be completing DIY projects, or improving our gardens, however there is no excuse for fly-tipping.

"There are a number of licensed waste carriers which can take items away, but always check their details to avoid facing a fine if these items are dumped illegally by visiting the Environment Agency’s website.

"The Council also offers a bulky waste collection service, and will collect up to seven items for £29.50. Please hang on to your large items for now, and arrange for them to taken away legally. Residents are reminded that they can report fly-tipping on East Northamptonshire Council’s website at any time, or call us."

Council chiefs have additionally emphasised that, in line with Public Health England guidance, residents who are vulnerable, or who are showing coronavirus symptoms, should not visit household recycling centres.

Cllr Jason Smithers, county council cabinet member for highways and place, said: “We have been advised by the Government that Northamptonshire’s recycling centres can re-open.

"It’s important that while social distancing rules are still in place we do this in a co-ordinated way and as such we have a robust plan in place to help residents dispose of household waste whilst ensuring the safety of themselves and council staff.

"Because the demand for the centres is likely to initially be very high we would ask members of the public to only use the service if it is absolutely necessary.

“It’s also important that if they do go that they keep to social distancing rules for the safety of both themselves and the staff.”

The council is expecting the sites to be very busy and as they will be operating at reduced capacity to comply with social distancing rules, long queues are expected.

Social distancing measures also mean that site staff will not be able to assist members of the public with carrying any waste, as they usually would do.

As is usual at busy times, sites may have to close temporarily throughout the day if demand becomes too high, to enable safe operations and allow traffic to disperse from the highway.

Here are all the dates and times when your local tip will be open:

Brixworth, Scaldwell Road, NN6 9YE: Mon/Thu/Fr/Sat/Sun, 10am -6pm

Corby, Kettering Road, NN17 3JG: Mon/Tue/Fri/Sat/Sun, 10am -6pm

Daventry, Browns Road, NN11 4NS: Mon/Tue/Fr/Sat/Sun, 10am -6pm

Ecton, Lower Ecton Lane, Great Billing, NN3 5HQ: Mon/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun, 10am – 6pm

Kettering, Garrard Way, Telford Way Industrial Estate, NN16 8TD: Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun, 10am – 6pm

Rushden, Northampton Road, NN10 6BW: Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun, 10am – 6pm

Sixfields, Walter Tull Way, NN5 5QL: Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun, 10am – 6pm

Towcester, Old Green Nortons Road, NN12 8AX: Mon/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun, 10am - 6pm

Wellingborough, Paterson Road, NN8 4BZ: Mon/Tue/Fri/Sat/Sun, 10am – 6pm

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