Fly-tipper faces hefty bill after Bromley officers track her down
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A woman has been forced to pay nearly £2,000 after fly-tipping a pile of construction waste.
The dumped waste was found by Bromley council officers in May this year where it was blocking a path leading to a plot on Oaklands Lane, Biggin Hill.
Construction waste and various household items were found scattered amongst the litter, as well as a cardboard box that was addressed to a woman living in Notting Hill.
Laura Estrada of Great Western Road in Westbourne Park, was prosecuted by the authority after she failed to respond to a legal notice asking her to provide information on the disposed rubbish.
Ms Estrada was found guilty in her absence at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on October 8. She was fined £1,000 for not providing officers with the requested information. She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £440 and prosecution costs of £423.
Conservative councillor Angela Page, executive councillor for public protection and enforcement, said: “We are tackling the menace of fly-tipping, with the support of residents. What may not be known is that as well as clearing reports of dumped rubbish, we also investigate who may have been responsible.
“These enquiries are legally significant, and recipients of notices requiring information that may assist in such investigations are required by law to respond or face prosecution, which has happened in this example.”
She added: “This example is also a timely reminder to always make checks when asking someone else to dispose of waste on your behalf, to make sure they are bona fide.”
The authority has advised that residents can dispose of bulky waste items at one of the council’s reuse and recycling centres on either Waldo Road or Churchfields Road.
Individuals can also book a collection through the council’s website. Residents are also requested to ensure any people or companies they are using to dispose of their waste are genuine by checking if they are a legally registered waste carrier.
Pictured top: The fly-tip discovered by council officers (Picture: Bromley council)