Fly-tipping 'nightmare' hampers steel firm's work

Mr Hughes said he had cleared two large fly-tipping dumps so his firm could continue making deliveries

Fly-tipping in Birmingham has become a "nightmare" for small businesses, according to the boss of a steel firm.

Tonnes of waste, including abandoned cars, household goods and construction materials, have been dumped outside FH Warden in Landor Street, Saltley, in recent weeks.

It is the second large amount company owner Dave Hughes has cleared from his front gates in 17 months, so he can still make steel deliveries. One of his drivers was threatened when challenging someone over tipping, he said.

The situation has been reported to the council, he said, and the site was being monitored. Birmingham City Council said it was determined to identify and prosecute the culprits.

Mr Hughes said the road was gated at the end and he was considering how to close off access to the area

Mr Hughes said the fly-tipping was causing financial damage to his firm and affected customers who saw the mess every time they visited.

He said: "I guess they [the council] are struggling with this problem all over the city."

He claimed businesses were being neglected and added: "If the council are charging hundreds of pounds to receive a commercial waste vehicle you can understand why people are just going to keep doing this."

Domestic bulky waste collections are currently suspended by the authority due to the ongoing bin worker strike, which could now continue into spring.

The business owner said he had been able to continue deliveries but the pile grew higher every week.

There was concern among small businesses it could be linked to organised crime, he added.

Recalling a moment last month when one of his drivers challenged a group of men in a van who arrived in Landor Street to dump waste, he said: "It was the middle of the afternoon – bright sunshine. They reversed up and started emptying out.

"My driver confronted them and they basically threatened him with violence – they were that brazen."

Paulette Hamilton, Erdington's Labour MP, said she was "greatly concerned" about fly tipping across Birmingham.

"It's unsightly because people are dumping rubbish on top of rubbish even though it's illegal, and the council are trying to move it as quickly as they can but sometimes just not quickly enough," she said.

Birmingham City Council's cabinet member for environment Majid Mahmood said: "Fly-tipping is a blight on our communities and a serious criminal offence. We will not tolerate individuals who think they can profit by dumping waste illegally and leaving the clean-up costs to taxpayers."

He said 347 fixed penalty notices had been served since January and 15 vehicles had been seized.