Council assisting Environment Agency with investigation

Officers from Lewes District Council’s environmental enforcement team are investigating after an articulated trailer was dumped in Newhaven.

The trailer, of the type commonly seen behind an articulated lorry, was badly listing under the tonnes of waste it was carrying, so much so that one of the supporting legs had pierced the surface of the road.

Robin Fuller leads the environmental enforcement team at Lewes District Council, he said:

“The trailer alone is very large, but to find that it was also full of waste and in danger of toppling over, we had to act fast.

“While enquiries started into ownership, we worked with East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service to stabilise it.“

It transpired that the Environment Agency is investigating a spate of incidents where articulated trailers full of treated waste are being abandoned across the south east of England.

Specialised equipment was brought in to remove the waste before the trailer could be safely dealt with and subsequently disposed of.

Councillor Isabelle Linington, Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“The people responsible for this have zero regard for public health and safety and quite obviously think they are above the law.

“I am pleased that the council is assisting the Environment Agency with their investigation and I hope the culprits will be identified and prosecuted.”

If anyone has any information that may assist with this enquiry please contact us at www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/contact-us

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