Family issues plea after 50 dumped tyres block access to pony’s field
A FAMILY have issued a plea to identify the people responsible for dumping more than 50 tyres outside their field.
The tyres are now blocking access to their field, located just near Bridgend paper mill off the A4063, where the family keep their Shetland pony, Jasper.
Kellie Harris, 38, whose family own the field, contacted Bridgend council, but was told it would take three to five days to resolve the issue.
“It’s awful,” she said. “I have been in touch with the council. I sent them an email with the photograph attached and they said they were going to aim to move it within three to five days.
“We don’t have access in and out [of the field] now while we’re waiting. It’s pretty bad.”
Kellie said she has contacted a local engineering company who have been working at a nearby paper mill to see if their cameras may have caught the offenders, but is also asking the public to get in touch if they have seen anything. The family’s main concern now is their pony, Jasper, who is stuck in the field until the tyres are moved.
“It’s very inconvenient and really distressing because it’s not as if they’ve dumped some bags or household waste,” Kellie said.
She estimates there are “easily” 40 to 50 tyres blocking the entrance to their property. Additionally, engineering companies use the field to access for work for the paper mill, which will all have to be put on hold until the tyres are cleared.
The fly-tipping comes as a shock to Kellie and the family, who have never had an issue outside of their field before.
A Bridgend council spokesperson said: “Bridgend council received reports of tyres dumped at the entrance of a field on Saturday and was later informed that the incident had been dealt with.
“When fly-tipping is reported, the local authority has to determine if it is on public or private land and where appropriate, acts to safely clear waste as soon as possible.
“Fly-tipping is a serious offence, which as well as being unsightly and potentially hazardous to the environment, costs taxpayers’ money to clean up.
“In response to a rise in the number of reported incidents, Bridgend council is forming a new enforcement team to help tackle fly-tipping and waste issues.
“While the local authority’s Cleaner Streets Team are proactive in identifying illegal fly-tipping and there is a collaboration in place with volunteers, community groups and the probation service to help clear waste, the dedicated new team will be able to focus entirely on the issue. All fly-tipping incidents on council-maintained land should be reported to cleanupthecounty@bridgend.gov. uk and they will be investigated and cleared if appropriate.”