Town has 56 reports in week
A mound of rubbish dumped outside homes and a primary school amounted to four tonnes and was one of 56 fly-tipping incidents reported in a week.
The mountain, off Queen’s Road, which included a toilet, children’s toys, garden furniture and big bags, was discovered last week and has now been cleared by council workers.
As the KM revealed last week, problems began when Maidstone council’s roadside rubbish collection team left behind a small amount of goods outside West Borough Primary School on Saturday March 19.
Suzanne Stone, who lives in Greenway, said neighbours and builders began adding to the pile.
Maidstone council’s environmental officers visited the site last Wednesday, before returning to clear the mess over the weekend. It could not confirm how much was spent on the clean-up.
Figures reveal the council was called to 56 fly-tipping incidents between Tuesday March 22 and Tuesday March 29.
Mrs Stone said this should act as a warning to Maidstone Borough Council about the implications of cutting the roadside freighter service.
Councillors agreed to axe the collection service in order to save £40,000, and the last collection will be on Saturday May 14.
It operates every Saturday and visits 99 sites across the borough every 10 weeks. It has been run- ning for 25 years and takes furniture, children’s toys and bulky items.
But the council says it is underused.
Mrs Stone said: “I know the council thinks no-one uses the freighter but we’ve lived here for 12 years and have used it every time it visits.
Bearsted resident Paul Woodward discovered another pile of waste dumped on Hockers Lane.
The pile includes a bathroom cabinet, a rug, a bath, and a box for a 50-inch TV.