Campaigner calls on community to help him tackle fly-tippers
by Lucy Buckland
lucy.buckland@essnmedia.co.uk
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A LOAD OF RUBBISH: The fly-tipped mess in Hartley Old Road, Purley
Kitchen sinks, piping and bags of bricks are among the trash dumped by fly-tippers in a secluded Purley cul-de-sac.
And one resident in Hartley Old Road has become so incensed by the dumpers he is urging his neighbours to help catch the culprits and posted online advice on how to do this.
Mike Oastley is calling on the community to help after fly-tippers dumped a load of building materials and blocked the entrance to his and his neighbour's home.
He said: "These cowboy builders don't understand how much of an inconvenience their fly-tipping is. Not only is it illegal, it's extremely antisocial and an absolute eyesore.
"This is a beautiful place to live. It's very quiet so is probably an ideal spot to dump rubbish, but it is not on. We are not going to stand for it anymore."
He says it is the third time in three months rubbish has been dumped in the street.
Although Mr Oastley, 65, said the council was very good at clearing the rubbish quickly he said it is no excuse for people to dump it illegally.
He added: "It's as though they don't care. These people cause untold difficulties for us when they dump their materials and often people's details are (on documents) in the rubbish."
Mr Oastley, a member of Hartley and Districts Residents' Association has set up a special page on the group's website.
He said the most recent dumping last month was at 6pm and he heard the lorry pull up.
Mr Oastley told the Advertiser: "It is getting brazen now. What we are doing is telling people to keep their eyes peeled and if they hear a strange lorry pulling into the street, to keep an eye on it and take the number plate down if there is anything suspicious."
Steve O'Connell, councillor for Kenley and Croydon's cabinet member for regeneration, said he had organised a meeting with residents and arranged for a council officer to visit the street.
"This is not a massive problem for Kenley but it is a very serious one.
"Kenley is a beautiful area and we don't wait it to be plagued by fly tippers," he explained.
If you see fly-tipping you can report it to Croydon Council's streetscene department on 020 8726 6200.
6 Comments
by Mr.Angry, Purley
Monday, December 21 2009, 11:24AM
“When caught the dumpers names should be publicised as this is a crime against the community that they make their money from.
The rubble is still technically the home owners property so under law they are liable if found.”
by Homaris vulgaris, deep waters
Sunday, December 20 2009, 9:25PM
“Fly tippers could be knee-capped.
Repeat offences would then be much more unlikely.”
by RPB, Coulsdon
Sunday, December 20 2009, 8:24PM
“Seems pretty straightforward to me - if you see someone fly-tipping, take their registration and report it immediately.
Mr Oastley is right - it's totally anti-social.”
by buzz off its christmas!!, croydon
Sunday, December 20 2009, 5:00PM
“Shall we ambush them? in that case. Its going to be a differcult thing to solve.”
by RobinHood, Sherwood
Sunday, December 20 2009, 2:22PM
“When I lived in Croydon I witnessed a guy making at least ten trips with a wheelie bin filled with old kitchen units,rubble and other building waste.He was reported at the time of the offence and as usual nothing was done."Was it dumped on the street?" well some was some was'nt.
"If its on the street then its down to Highways Dept if its on an Estate its down to caretaking"
Did it matter? Did he get caught? The answer is no.
Eliminate fly tipping and several Council departments will cease to exist along with several jops for the boys.”
by jackie, old coulsdon
Sunday, December 20 2009, 2:20PM
“Sorry to sound picky but it's not Kenley but Purley.
They are flytipping everywhere even on the road on the Farthing Downs, a historical site, they can't be bothered to go to the dump with the rubbish they have just been paid to get rid of by some hapless trusting householder.”