Council Considers More Investment To Deal With Fly-Tipping

Harborough District Council is considering extra investment to crack down on fly-tipping.

While the number of reported incidents fell between 2023/24 and 2024/25, some hotspot areas for illegal dumping are causing concern.

One stretch of road near Ashby Parva has been repeatedly targeted, with a major fly-tip cleared earlier this month after rubbish blocked the road.

Recent fly-tipping near Ashby Parva

The authority’s Cabinet is set to consider providing additional funding for measures to deter and catch those responsible.

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “We are firmly committed to tackling environmental crime across the Harborough district.

“Fly-tipping is a blight in our communities and horrible to see in our beautiful countryside and rural district area.

“I have visited the site of the recent fly-tip near Ashby Parva with Cllr Rosita Page, Ullesthorpe Ward Councillor.

“Proposals for additional measures, deterrence, and enforcement with regards to fly-tipping are being developed for consideration by Cabinet.

“We are constantly trying to find new and additional ways to reduce and prevent this illegal activity and we will prosecute whenever we have the appropriate evidence.”

Cllr Phil Knowles & Cllr Rosita Page at the scene of the fly-tipping near Ashby Parva

The council’s Conservative Group was ‘outraged’ by the major fly-tipping incident on the road to Ashby Parva, just past the Ullesthorpe playing field.

A Group spokesperson said: “Fly-tipping in Harborough has got out of control. It is a danger to road users, an environmental disaster for our countryside, and a huge cost to local taxpayers.

“Residents are sick of excuses — they want to see real enforcement, prosecutions, and deterrence.”

To report fly-tipping directly, residents can also use the Tip-Off form on the HDC website: www.harborough.gov.uk/tipoff