Posted on 20th Aug
A major clean-up operation took place on Eakring Road, from Bilsthorpe through to Mansfield, to remove 18 tonnes of waste.
Newark and Sherwood District Council led the initiative to tackle long-standing issues of fly-tipping and environmental damage, working in partnership with Mansfield District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Via, and local volunteers.
They cleared 10 tonnes of household waste, such as general rubbish and discarded furniture; 3 tonnes of hardcore and building waste, which was repurposed to fill mud and water traps along the road; 5 tonnes of metal, including burnt-out fridge freezers and other large metal debris; and numerous gas cannisters, some still half full, that were posing serious risks.
The operation highlighted the scale of illegal dumping by unlicensed waste carriers and residents have been urged to check for a valid waste carrier licence and request a waste transfer receipt to ensure waste is disposed of properly. Much of the waste could have been taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre.
As part of the enforcement activity, nine Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued in the area, with all but one paid. Newark and Sherwood District Council said this demonstrated its commitment to holding offenders accountable. Trail cameras continue to monitor the site, supporting enforcement of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
Additional clean-up work is scheduled to take place at the end of August, with teams returning to continue clearing the site.
The council is calling on residents’ help to keep the district clean and safe by reporting fly-tips to their teams. If you spot illegal dumping, report it at https://www.newark-sherwooddc.
Coun Paul Taylor, portfolio holder for Public Protection and Community Relations at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Thank you to our Street Scene and Environment Enforcement teams, our partners and volunteers who have worked tirelessly throughout this week of action. It’s been a long time coming, and while there’s still more to do, the difference we’ve made already is clear. Residents and trail users have stopped to chat with our teams, sharing their support and appreciation for the improvements. Their encouragement has been a real boost to everyone involved.
“Newark and Sherwood District Council is committed to keeping our district clean, safe and welcoming for everyone. This week’s efforts show what we can achieve when we work together, but we need the continued support of our residents to maintain these improvements and prevent future fly-tipping.”
The joint portfolio holder for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities at Mansfield District Council, Coun Angie Jackson, added: “This week of action on Eakring Road shows what we can achieve when we work together. By joining forces with our partners, we’ve been able to tackle fly-tipping head-on, restore parts of this beautiful area, and put measures in place to prevent it from happening again. Our commitment is clear – we will continue working together to keep our district clean, safe, and a place that residents can be proud of.”
Darren Kenworthy, rural crime prevention officer, said: “It was a pleasure to be involved in the removal of some of the waste dumped at the location, and to represent Nottinghamshire police’s rural crime team. The improvements were both immediate and clear, and I hope that legitimate users of the area can appreciate them.”
Erin McDaid, head of communications at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, added: “Fly tipping and illegal access along Eakring Road are long-term issues which continue to impact a range of sites including our Rainworth Heath Nature Reserve – a Site of Special Scientific Interest. We’re delighted to have been able to support the week of action which highlights the power of partnership and is the latest demonstration of partners’ determination to continue to co-operate to tackle challenging issues in the area.”
