Asbestos and rubble dumped near Belmont reservoir (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Asbestos and rubble dumped near Belmont reservoir

10:54am Tuesday 8th November 2011 in North Turton By Steven Thompson

TWO lorry loads of rubbish, including bricks, rubble and asbestos, have been dumped on greenbelt land by fly-tippers.

The illegal rubbish tip appeared over the weekend, close to Delph Reservoir, on land off Stones Bank Road, Belmont, and was reported to landowner United Utilities yesterday.

Investigators said there were two loads dumped together — one from a demolition site and another of cardboard rolls and material cut-offs.

Blackburn with Darwen Council environmental crime officer Richard Waters was yesterday assessing the huge pile, looking for clues as to who may have dumped the rubbish.

Mr Waters said it was one of the biggest illegal tips he had seen in recent years.

But he added that it was not uncommon for larger loads to be dumped out in the countryside, away from street lighting and CCTV.

Mr Waters said: “It is a headache for United Utilities.

"It has blocked a pathway and I believe they were doing some work up there.

“We don’t know how they’ve got it up there as yet but we have been collecting evidence.

"We have a good record on catching and prosecuting offenders.

"In that particular area, it is quite common to see larger loads, but they don’t come much bigger than this one.”

The matter has also been reported to the police.

A spokesman for United Utilities said: “We have only just been told about the incident, but we will be carrying out our own investigations and having the rubbish removed shortly.”

Mr Waters said it would have cost “hundreds of pounds” to have the rubbish disposed of legally.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Blackburn With Darwen Council on 01254 585585.

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