Illegally dumped trailer removed from A1 lay-by near Great Ponton
Investigators are hunting for those behind the dumping
A trailer filled with part-processed waste that had been illegally dumped in a lay-by on the A1 has been removed.
The trailer was found at Great Ponton and was safely taken away by South Kesteven District Council, working with National Highways and Lincolnshire County Council.
The removal took place over two nights, Monday and Tuesday, as part of a pre-arranged road closure.
Search continues for those responsible
An investigation is continuing to identify who dumped the trailer.
Ayeisha Kirkham, Chair of the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership, said the waste had not come from typical household disposal.
"The blame here lies squarely with the perpetrators," Ayeisha Kirkham said.
"This was not waste that would normally have gone to the household recycling centres, this is criminal gangs working on an industrial scale," Ayeisha Kirkham said.
"The organisation and resources involved mean this is unlikely to have been the work of one or two individuals but a huge criminal operation," Ayeisha Kirkham said.
Ayeisha Kirkham said the waste was part-processed and that a dilapidated trailer with the top cut off had been used to make it easier to fill and dump, avoiding the costs of legal disposal.
"We are now working closely with our partners such as Lincolnshire Police, the Environment Agency and others to support intelligence gathering on this and other sites," Ayeisha Kirkham said.
Reaction from South Kesteven District Council
Cllr Rhys Baker, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste at South Kesteven District Council, described the dumping as dangerous.
"This was a despicable and disgusting criminal act," Cllr Rhys Baker said.
"Dumping this volume of waste at the side of a main road is dangerous and irresponsible. It is environmental vandalism, and it makes me furious to see taxpayer money spent cleaning up crimes like this," Cllr Rhys Baker said.
"Ultimately, these gangs are leaving residents to pick up the bill. Every pound spent clearing up this mess is a pound stolen from local services," Cllr Rhys Baker said.
How the trailer was cleared
South Kesteven District Council said the clearance process involved working with partners to gather evidence among the waste, and engaging experts to test it for potentially hazardous content such as asbestos or chemicals.
The trailer was then strapped and made safe in place for public safety before a licensed waste removal operator was identified.
Measures were also taken to protect watercourses and the environment by containing any potentially hazardous liquids seeping from the waste.
The waste was then taken to a designated permitted site for disposal, following an assessment of the risk to workers and the public.
South Kesteven District Council worked with National Highways on the required road closure and removal of the trailer, while the Environment Agency continues its investigation.
How to report illegal dumping
National Highways is responsible for rubbish collection on motorways and some major A roads in England, while local authorities manage rubbish collection on the rest of the roads, including the A1.
Anyone who spots illegal dumping is asked to report it online at www.southkesteven.gov.uk/flytipping or call 01476 406080.