Royal Greenwich: The council is committed to reducing the impact of fly-tipping, Say Cllr Jackie Smith As New Powers Exploited

* Cllr Jackie Smith

by our RGB correspondent | Woolwich

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has used new powers to seize vehicles suspected of dumping waste illegally as part of its ongoing crackdown on fly-tipping.

Now a silver Ford transit van is set to be destroyed after the driver failed to show a waste carriers licence and the owner failed to come forward.

The vehicle was seized in Griffin Road, Plumstead, last month by royal borough enviro-crime enforcement officers after it was found to contain scrap metal items including an oven, pedal bike, microwave and various other tools.

Under new powers, which came into force in April, the council can immediately seize a vehicle suspected of dumping, carrying or collecting waste material if the driver hasn’t got a waste carriers licence.

Previously, enforcement officers had to apply to the court for a forfeiture order which could take time.

Last year, 14,503 fly-tips were removed from local streets and open spaces by the council, adding up to an unsightly 730 tonnes of waste, costing around £210,000 to collect and dispose of.

Cllr Jackie Smith, the council’s cabinet member for community safety and environment said: “The council is committed to reducing the impact of fly-tipping both in terms of cost and the impact to the environment."

"The new law gives us a lot more flexibility and control over people collecting, dumping or transporting waste illegally. The council will not tolerate fly-tipping in the royal borough and will always take strong action to prevent the irresponsible and illegal behaviour of those dumping rubbish.”

For more information or to report an environmental crime, visit:

www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/flytipping or contact the Call Centre on 020 8921 4661.

Residents can arrange for the collection of bulky waste for £10 per item at www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/bulkywaste or take items to the Reuse and Recycle Centre in Nathan Way, Thamesmead.