Businesses on Orrell Mount Industrial Estate in Bootle are facing a persistent fly-tipping problem, with piles of rubbish including furniture, building rubble, and even an old wireless radio accumulating at the entrance. The Liverpool Echo visited the site and observed a large heap of waste, which also included plant pots and paint tubs, sitting just off the road. Local business owners say the mess is driving away customers and creating a fire hazard.
Business owners speak out
John and Ian McClelland, who have run Freeport Commercial Ltd, a vehicle repair workshop, at the site for about eight years, told the Echo that the problem has been ongoing since they moved in. John described the area as previously derelict and known for drug-taking, but after refurbishing the premises, fly-tipping began almost immediately. He said taxi drivers come at night, throwing rubbish from their cars and using the site as a toilet. “It’s unbelievable. They just open their cars, get all the rubbish and they just throw it out of the window,” he said. He added that they have camera systems, but the entrance remains the main dumping spot. “People just pull up with bin bags, throw them out of their cars. We caught one group carrying a couch, and they just put it on the floor.” A letter found in the couch cushions indicated the fly-tippers lived nearby.
Impact on businesses
John said the rubbish has been sitting in the lay-by for about three weeks. He has contacted the council since 2024, but little has changed. “We’ve asked if they can find out whose land it is, can they clear the trees to make a gap so people can see through? Can they fit a sign saying ‘monitored area’? Can they have cameras over there? But they just don’t seem to do anything,” he said. He added that some large customers have commented on the mess, forcing him to apologize. “We say: ‘We’re sorry, but it’s not us,’ but you feel terrible.” Sometimes, he and Ian meet customers elsewhere to avoid the rubbish.
Sharon Smith from Everton Glass, a tile showroom at the estate, said: “It’s very unsightly for customers driving through. It doesn’t represent us very well.” She wants the council to monitor the situation more closely and put up CCTV warning signs. “The council really need to provide something,” she added.
Andy Wilson, director of Oriel Studios signage and display company, said the fly-tipping prevents clients from visiting and “basically stopping growth in the area.” He noted that repeat offenders are likely responsible, and CCTV footage showed lorries and vans turning into the site and leaving shortly after. The current pile accumulated over two nights, following a previous incident where a huge mound of rubbish was dumped in their car park. Another team member added: “You’ve also got problems with vermin in the rubbish. You feel angry when you drive past it. It’s a constant battle.”
Fire hazard concerns
Andy Hayes, a manager at Phoenix Safe Company, said the firm isn’t as badly affected because visitors arrive before seeing the rubbish, but “we want it stopping because if people come here, we want it tidy.” He noted that staff walk past the lay-by daily and comment on the untidiness. Pointing to a blackened chair among the waste, he said: “Look at the state of it. It’s a proper fire hazard.” The chair appeared to have been set alight, catching nearby tree branches. He called the reports of taxi drivers using the site as a toilet “disgusting” and supported installing a gate to control entry.
Council response
Cllr Peter Harvey, Sefton Council Cabinet member for cleansing and street scene, said: “We take a no-nonsense approach to fly-tipping in Sefton. All reported cases are investigated and, where evidence is found, offenders are issued with fixed penalty fines or taken to court. Fly-tipping is selfish, disgusting and it blights our communities.” He confirmed the council is aware of the ongoing issue at Orrell Mount Industrial Estate. Environmental Enforcement officers attended two weeks ago following reports, recovered evidence, and are continuing to investigate. The lay-by has been cleared, but further waste continues to be dumped. “Our staff will continue to attend, clear the site, and examine any waste for evidence to catch the culprits,” he said. The council is also working to establish ownership of the surrounding greenspace to improve visibility by cutting back hedging, which may help deter further fly-tipping.
Harvey highlighted the council’s investment of an additional £1 million this year to tackle fly-tipping across Sefton. Measures include CCTV cameras, higher fines up to £1,000, almost trebling the enforcement team, working with partners like Keep Britain Tidy, removing over 15 tonnes of fly-tip waste from alleys and elsewhere every week, and securing hotspots with fencing. “This robust approach… is delivering results – in the last two months we have issued 21 fines, or Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), against offenders,” he said.
