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Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) has taken action to address the issue of fly-tipping in Waltham Abbey.
Hot spot for illegal dumping
Dowding Way lay-by, Waltham Abbey, has become a hot spot for illegal dumping in recent years, resulting in significant costs for the Council and local taxpayers.
Since July 2022, a total of 14 fly-tips have been reported and cleared from the lay-by at the expense of the Council. Determined to put an end to this ongoing problem, EFDC’s Environmental Enforcement Officers and CCTV officers collaborated to initiate a joint operation.
As a result of this joint effort, a covert CCTV camera was installed in the lay-by, accompanied by increased signage to inform the public about the presence of cameras. Within just 1 week of the CCTV installation, another fly-tip was recorded in the layby. The CCTV footage proved invaluable in gathering evidence and identifying the vehicles used in the illegal dumping.
Concrete bollards
From January to April 2023, the newly installed CCTV cameras captured an additional 11 fly-tips, ranging from small items to an entire truckload of rubbish. The offenders responsible for these incidents were identified and issued Fixed Penalty Notices. Further investigations are still ongoing.
In order to deter any further illegal dumping, the Environmental Enforcement Officers, Essex Highways, and local landowners have obtained full agreement to block access to the lay-by. Concrete bollards have been erected to prevent vehicles from entering the area.
Concrete bollards erected in the lay-by in Dowding Way, Waltham Abbey
Tackling the issue of fly-tipping
Cllr Ken Williamson, portfolio holder for Regulatory Services said:
We are committed to tackling the issue of fly-tipping in our district. The proactive measures taken by our Community Resilience Team demonstrate our dedication to maintaining a clean and safe environment for our residents.
To report any instances of fly-tipping visit the EFDC website:
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