News

People are being asked to help in a crack down on the dumping of asbestos in country lanes and dykes.

Shepway District Council is focussing on the Dymchurch, Romney Marsh area where it believes it is being dumped by rogue traders.

Residents are being asked to be extra vigilant, especially keeping a look out for vans and lorries at night.

Cllr Rory Love, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “We believe this might be coming from outside the district. Whoever is doing this is choosing quiet areas where there is least chance of being seen. We would ask people to be extra vigilant and to try and get the registration number and description of the vehicle and a description of anyone they think might be involved providing it is safe for them to do it.”

The crackdown comes after a recent spate of dumping at various points on Romney Marsh. The council’s advice to anyone who spots dumped asbestos is:

• Don’t touch it. Asbestos cement is a hazard only when it is moved or broken.
• Report it to the council’s street scene customer services team on 01303 858660 giving a precise location.

Providing it is not on private land, the council will arrange for it to be removed. Twenty locations across Romney Marsh have already been cleared and the council hopes to get the remaining asbestos removed by the end of the week. The council is working closely with the Environment Agency to have the asbestos dumped in a waterway off St Mary’s Road, between St Mary in the Marsh and Dymchurch, removed.

“People can also play their part in tackling the problem of illegally dumped asbestos or any other material by making sure that any company they use to carry out building or clearance work has a waste carrier licence and waste transfer notes detailing the type of waste, where it is being taken from and where it is being disposed of,” said Cllr Love.