A massive fly-tip dumped on an industrial estate back road has been slammed as “awful” and “dangerous".
Spread out over around 200 metres, on Longbenton Way in Manor Park, Runcorn, are piles of gardening waste and household rubbish plus furniture, which are tumbling into the road from the grass verges.
When the ECHO visited the area, among the mess strewn along the route were bin bags with rubbish spilling out, and even a washing machine and mattress.
It isn’t the first time Longbenton Way has been used to dump waste, with several reports on social media in recent years. One motorist who contacted the ECHO and asked not to be named, said the volume of waste in the road means drivers have to use the other lane to get past, creating a hazard - particularly at night with street lights not in use.
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They said: "It’s awful isn’t it.
"It was an old running route of mine and when I took the car down past there last week I was having to go onto the other side of the road to weave around all the rubbish.
"The way it’s been dumped as well looks like it’s the same people doing it or the same type of van.
"Cannot believe the local council hasn’t done something about it as when dark, there are no lights down that road at all.
"It’s dangerous."
Other recent fly-tipping incidents in Runcorn include at The Brow estate, and behind the former Pavilions sports and social club.
According to Office for National Statistics data, there were 429 fly-tipping incidents reported in Halton in 2021-22, resulting in 143 warning letters, one fixed penalty notice, and - like lots of local authority areas - no prosecutions.
The maximum penalty for fly-tipping is £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment in magistrates’ court, and an unlimited fine and up to five years in prison at crown court.
Halton Borough Council said a clean-up is under way.
A Halton Council spokesperson said: “Work to clear the fly-tipping waste on Longbenton Way is under way.
“The council has also cleared the waste when previous incidents of fly-tipping have occurred at this location.
"Fly-tipping is illegal and unacceptable.
"When clearing waste, council staff make every effort to find evidence to identify those responsible.
"Where this is evidence is available, the council will always pursue enforcement action."
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