Fenland farmer warns that Easter signals the start of the fly tipping season

A FENLAND farmer says he expects Easter to signal the start of another year of waste being dumped in their gateways, on their fields and in their hedge rows. This is the big weekend for DIY, gardening or just a spring clear out and that s when we ll be g

A FENLAND farmer says he expects Easter to signal the start of another year of waste being dumped in their gateways, on their fields and in their hedge rows.

"This is the big weekend for DIY, gardening or just a spring clear out and that's when we'll be getting the rubbish that results," says Marc Heading, chairman of the county branch of the Country Land and Business Association who farms near Chatteris.

"Some people simply cannot be bothered to go to the re-cycling centres - others find that when they get there they won't be allowed to dispose of all they take. Either way the countryside suffers.

"Fly-tipping occurs all year round, but this is undoubtedly the worst period of the year. People do not realise that the owners of the land where they have thrown their waste will have to remove it - and at considerable cost.

"If we don't do so, and quickly, it will set a trend and within days we can expect to get more. So we are asking everyone who has waste to dispose of not to take the easy option.

"But in the long run we need to achieve a culture where littering generally, and fly-tipping in particular, is socially unacceptable."

He added: "Here in the Fens rubbish is likely to be thrown into the drains where it is much more difficult to retrieve and can of course lead to blocked drains if it isn't hauled out.

"Tyres, because of the rules on disposal, are especially prevalent and we get waste which is clearly commercial."

The CLA is campaigning for greater powers for local councils to investigate and remove illegally dumped waste.