Asbestos filled fly-tipping left exposed for over 2 years

The fly-tipped waste includes a mattress, metal poles, bricks and masonry, and was dumped on the roadside in Manning Close, Bishopdown.

Residents of the Close first reported the fly-tipping in November 2022.

"It's an eyesore, to be quite honest," said resident Jo Dingwall, 62.

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"We originally called the council, they came and took photos, and told us that the land belongs to the housing developer, Abri.

A photo of some of the rubbish (Image: Contributed)

"Abri started to clear it away, but they found asbestos, so they just left it. They didn't corner or tape it off, they just left it all exposed."

Jo explained how the heap of rubbish is constantly added to, and housing developer, Abri, hasn't left a written warning that it contains the poisonous material, asbestos.

She told the Journal that she has had correspondence with Abri, and was assured the fly-tipping would be removed by the end of last month, but at the time of writing, this isn't the case.

The pile is constantly being added to (Image: Contributed)

"We have been promised that the fly-tipping will be removed and flattened for extra parking, I even have emails confirming this. We were promised it would be removed by the end of March this year.

"It's now been two years and it's still there. It's now April and it hasn't gone yet."

Jo believes that the mound of waste does not reflect well on the area as a whole, and she doesn't feel safe or happy living there because of it.

"It's disgusting. It gives the Close a bad reputation, and it just looks awful. I want to move. I hate living here. I don't want to live here anymore."

Jo feels a sense of betrayal from Abri, believing that the housing developer doesn't realise the severity of the issue.

"I feel like we've been lied to and deceived, and not taken seriously. There is exposed asbestos and not even a written warning. I mean, there are kids who play outside around here, what could happen to them?

"Somebody has got to be held accountable. We pay a service charge, which is supposed to cover things like this so what are we even paying it for? And they actually want to put the charge up."

When contacted by the Journal, Abri denied claims that asbestos is present in the fly-tipping.

Jim Bruckel, head of customer partnerships at Abri, said: "We share our customers’ frustrations about fly-tipping and believe that everyone has the right to live in a safe and clean community. Following a report of fly-tipping in Manning Close, our asbestos contractor CASA did not find any evidence of asbestos and we have arranged for the waste to be removed.

"Our monthly community inspection programme identifies fly tipping hotspots and arranges waste removal. We work closely with our communities to manage any reports of fly tipping and to encourage responsible waste disposal."