Fly-tippers dump asbestos sheets in Devon

Fly-tippers are being warned that they face stiff penalties after recent incidents in Devon which saw asbestos sheeting being dumped.

East Devon District Council said it had cleared waste from Bickham Wood, near Yarcombe, Honiton and Ottery St Mary.

The council said households also needed to be aware that they were responsible for disposing of waste properly.

Anyone who had waste illegally dumped faced fines of up to £50,000 or a two-year jail term, it said.

'Duty of care'

Corrugated asbestos sheets have been found dumped in Bickham Wood three times.

The council said it was working with South Somerset District Council on the matter because a road known as Old Coach Lane ran through the wood into south Somerset.

Altogether, about half a tonne of asbestos has been picked up by council teams from the woods adjacent to the lane, the council said.

The fly-tipping around Honiton and Ottery St Mary saw materials including garden waste, asbestos and general household clearance rubbish dumped.

The council said it was reminding members of the public and householders of their legal duty when getting people in to clear rubbish or garden waste for them.

Customers should always check that the person employed had a waste carrier's licence, and they must get copies of the waste transfer documents for any waste, garden cuttings or rubbish taken.

The council said: "This is a legal requirement. You have a legal duty of care for your rubbish and waste, and if that rubbish is found fly-tipped, you can still be liable."