Extreme littering costs Sidmouth tax-payers �1,000
FLY-TIPPERS who took littering to new lengths in Sidmouth have cost tax-payers more than �1,000 in clean-up costs.
Culprits illegally dumped a huge haul of potentially deadly asbestos - and even a massive mobile home - at a beauty spot and a lay-by respectively in two separate incidents earlier this month.
A countryside bridleway off Bickwell Lane was used as a tip and sullied with 26 bags worth of building waste including asbestos.
Days later a mobile home appeared in a lay-by in Bulverton.
East Devon District Council (EDDC) revealed this week that asbestos clearance, including labour, transport and tipping fees cost �832. Specialists had to be called in to remove the waste.
The mobile home, including officer time and a removal fee, set the authority back a further �200.
An EDDC spokesperson said: “Fly-tipping in the countryside – whatever materials are involved – carries a maximum fine of �50,000 and a possible prison sentence, plus a criminal record on conviction.”
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He warned, if identified, the mobile home owner will be sent a bill for removal and, if necessary, court action will be taken.
East Devon has seen the biggest rise in fly-tipping in the county in the last year - from 227 incidents in 2010 to 315 in 2011.