A major clean-up operation has been completed on Bwlch mountain near Treorchy in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where fly-tipping had created a 'river of rubbish' down a steep hillside. The waste, including tyres, plasterboard, cement bags, white goods, and loose refuse, was dumped on private land, sparking concerns for local wildlife.
Footage captured by travel blogger Nathan Dixon showed the gully completely clogged with illegally dumped waste, which had been tipped over a layby and spilled hundreds of feet down the near-vertical slope. Reports also emerged of individuals scaling the dangerous site to burn evidence, potentially worsening environmental impacts.
On Saturday, May 30, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council staff and Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team used specialist equipment and rope systems to safely remove tonnes of waste. The council described it as a 'complex operation' to restore the 'much-loved, renowned landscape.'
A council spokesperson thanked the teams for their 'incredible efforts,' while the mountain rescue team, a volunteer-run charity, highlighted the collaboration with the council. They have set up a fundraising page to support their vital work, as they receive no government funding.
This is not the first such incident on Bwlch mountain; the council has previously undertaken 'complex and costly' clean-ups at the beauty spot. Members of the public are urged to report any instances of fly-tipping to the council.
