Surrey’s councils have launched a crackdown on fly-tipping after reported cases across the county rose, costing the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds in clean-up jobs.

But Epsom and Ewell Borough Council is concerned Surrey County Council’s introduction of charges for some items at its recycling centres may make people more likely to illegally dump their rubbish for free.

Surrey Comet:
A bath and a sofa were dumped in Chalk Lane, Epsom. Pic credit: Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

There were 625 cases reported in Epsom and Ewell in 2015/16, ranging from a few black bags of household rubbish dumped at the side of the road to large quantities of building material.

By comparison, in neighbouring boroughs Mole Valley and Reigate and Banstead 489 and 191 fly-tipping incidents were reported.

Surrey Comet:
Pic credit: Google Maps

Councils across the country are appointing co-ordinators to help share intelligence on fly-tippers and step up enforcement. They are also considering using GPS mapping and portable cameras to help bring offenders to justice.

But Epsom and Ewell Borough Council fear the county council charging residents to recycle non-household waste may have an impact on fly-tipping.

From September 1, visitors to the council’s nine recycling centres – including those at Blenheim Road, Epsom and Randalls Road, Leatherhead – will have to pay £5 to recycle a tyre or £4 to recycle a waste bag.

Surrey Comet:
Black bin bags of bricks dumped in Epsom. Pic credit: Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

A spokesman from Epsom and Ewell Borough Council said: “While we understand the reasons for the County Council’s introduction of charges for some items at the recycling centres, we are concerned at the impact this will have on fly-tipping.

“However there is no justification for fly-tipping, and this Council will do all it can to prosecute those involved in this anti-social, criminal activity.”

The council’s latest figures for the first three months 2016/17 already show an increase on the last financial year with 216 fly-tipping incidents being reported in Epsom and Ewell.

The spokesman for Epsom and Ewell Borough Council added: “The Council monitors fly-tipping hotspots within the borough, the aim of which is to ensure clear up takes place as soon as possible and to try and catch the fly-tippers. As part of this Surrey-wide initiative we are increasing our surveillance.

“All fly-tipped waste is inspected to see if we can ascertain where it originated.

“We have a target of removing fly-tipped material within three days of it being reported.”

The number of fly-tipping incidents has risen nationwide in the last few years, and in Surrey alone, 6,851 were reported in 2015/16 – up from 6,760 in the previous year.

Mike Goodman, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, said: “Fly-tipping is a blight on the countryside and a drain on our resources and we’re determined to work together to clamp down on the problem.

“Some people have no respect for the environment and refuse to use the waste facilities available to all of us.

“We don’t want law-abiding Surrey residents to have to bear the cost of clearing up illegally dumped rubbish which is why we’re stepping up our efforts to combat fly-tipping.”

For more information on waste disposal, fly-tipping and how to report it, visit recycleforsurrey.org.uk/flytipping