Flytippers dump asbestos, chemicals and animal carcasses in Brighton and Hove (From The Argus)

Flytippers dump asbestos, chemicals and animal carcasses in Brighton and Hove

12:20pm Friday 27th April 2012 in News By Bill Gardner

Flytippers have dumped banned asbestos, dead animal carcasses and chemical drums on city streets.

Figures obtained from Brighton and Hove City Council show the number of incidents has soared by more than 48% since 2009.

Taxpayers have had to foot a £234,000 bill to clean up the waste over the last three years.

In 2011 council teams were called out 2743 times to clear away mess left by fly tippers. Dumped items included tyres, vehicle parts and fridge freezers.

Workmen found building materials containing asbestos at a number of fly tips in populated areas across the city.

Bonded asbestos, banned in 1999, does not pose a direct risk to the public but can be deadly if exposed to weathering. Other waste was found dumped at sites on the fringes of the city.

Chris Todd from Friends of the Earth in Brighton and Hove said walkers often came across fly tips on the South Downs.

He said: “It’s certainly a real problem because it’s disgusting and it harms wildlife. Someone has got to pay the price for the clean-up and it’s always the taxpayer footing the bill.

“Sometimes, the waste can even seep into the water supply and that’s a real health risk.”