Trailer trash on a bike path

When slimy operators start using old freight trailers as a way to get rid of junk, it takes illegal dumping to a pernicious new level.

Somebody is always trying to get a leg up on the system — not necessarily a bad thing — unless it involves a clever twist on illegal dumping by hiding the trash in plain sight. That’s what happened on Flint Rd., an industrial area near Dufferin and Finch Aves., where a trailer filled with junk was hauled months ago and dropped at the curb, like many legitimate trailers parked on the same street.

A reader sent us a note about it in mid-June, saying he had already made two requests to 311 to have it taken away.

“This trailer was dumped here weeks ago and has since been shunted by local truckers out of their way and into the bike path,” he said, referring to a paved cycling trail that runs along a hydro corridor.

He included photos of the cargo trailer, one of which showed its rear door closed, while another showed the door partly open, with some of the junk spilling out of it.

We went there and found it at the very south end of Flint Rd., where even more junk is now encroaching the bike trail.

There’s no licence plate on it or anything to identify an owner.

The trailer is parked on the street, which makes it the city’s responsibility. It is similar to many other trailers parked on Flint to serve the small industries, so it blends in and doesn’t raise eyebrows. Status: Kam Ma, acting manager of right-of-way management in North York, emailed to say his staff is looking into it and will make a decision on what to do with the trailer. What’s broken in your neighbourhood? Wherever you are in Greater Toronto, we want to know. Email jlakey@thestar.ca or follow @TOStarFixer on Twitter