Sefton Council is preparing a court case against a Bootle woman who illegally dumped waste equivalent to the size of a car parking space in an alleyway near her home. The local authority issued the maximum £1,000 fixed penalty notice (FPN) after environmental enforcement officers found the rubbish earlier this year.
The waste, which included a huge amount of household rubbish and bin bags, was dumped in the Bootle West ward in March and identified by officials. According to the council, the waste covered an area equivalent to a car parking space.
Fine remains unpaid as court case prepared
Sefton Council has confirmed that the fine remains unpaid and a court case is being prepared. A date for the hearing has yet to be confirmed.
The local authority said it takes a robust approach to tackling environmental crimes and is committed to keeping the borough’s neighbourhoods clean.
Increased penalties for fly-tipping
The council has invested an additional £1m in street cleaning and preventing fly-tipping. Since December last year, the borough has increased the FPN for fly-tipping to up to £1,000 from £400.
Cllr Peter Harvey, Sefton Council cabinet member for cleansing and street scene, said: “This case demonstrates exactly why we introduced tougher penalties for fly-tipping. Dumping so much waste, such is an outrageous act that damages our environment and affects local residents.
“The vast majority of people dispose of their waste responsibly and should not have to put up with those who think it is acceptable to dump rubbish. We will continue to investigate offences and take robust action against anyone caught fly-tipping.”
