FixMyStreet report – Fly-tipped radiator on public land

Location: Wigton Crescent – end of the pedestrian lane previously reported and subject to a formal complaint (adjacent to verge / tree base as shown in attached photograph) Issue type: Fly-tipping / bulky waste on public land Description I am reporting a fly-tipped radiator dumped on public land at the Wigton Crescent end of the pedestrian lane that has already been the subject of multiple FixMyStreet reports and a formal complaint. The item is clearly bulky household waste, not incidental litter, and has been left on grassed highway land adjacent to the footway, as shown in the attached photograph. This location has a documented history of repeat dumping and partial clearance, with previous reports being closed as “Fixed” despite ongoing environmental degradation. This new incident reinforces the concern that the area is not being managed on an end-to-end or preventative basis. Risk and impact Obstruction and hazard on a pedestrian route Risk to children and vulnerable users Visual blight encouraging further dumping (“broken windows” effect) Sharp metal edges present foreseeable injury risk This route is used daily by residents and forms part of a wider walking corridor. Statutory basis Environmental Protection Act 1990 – Section 89 The Council has a duty to keep relevant land clear of litter and refuse, including bulky waste deposited on public land. Environmental Protection Act 1990 – Section 33 Fly-tipping is a criminal offence. Swift removal is a recognised preventative measure against repeat offending. DEFRA Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse Bulky items dumped on highway land must be removed and not treated as routine litter or left pending unrelated cleansing schedules. Well-managed Highway Infrastructure: A Code of Practice Requires authorities to respond proportionately where repeated defects or incidents indicate a wider management failure. Context This report should be considered in conjunction with the existing complaint and FOI request relating to repeated failures of street cleansing and premature FixMyStreet closures along this lane and its approaches. Treating each incident in isolation has demonstrably failed to prevent recurrence. What is requested Prompt removal of the dumped radiator. Confirmation that this has been logged as fly-tipping, not litter. Consideration of preventative measures for this known dumping hotspot (e.g. inspection frequency, enforcement visibility, or area-based cleansing). Summary This is a clear case of fly-tipping on public land in a location with a documented pattern of environmental neglect. Timely removal and proper classification are necessary to prevent further deterioration.