Investigation After Asbestos Dumped In Huge Fly-Tip

An investigation is underway after asbestos was dumped by flytippers near a new business park in Market Harborough.

The dangerous waste was found in the huge pile of rubbish on land close to the Airfield Business Park and has been removed over the past few days by specialist contractors.

The pile of dumped rubbish

The Environment Agency is working with Harborough and Leicestershire County Council in a bid to trace the culprits.

Owners of the land off Harborough Road have upgraded security measures in a bid to stop it happening again.

A spokesman on behalf of the landowners, a consortium of builders, said: “We cannot block off the routes the fly-tippers are using as these are highways and byways which must be kept open to the public.

“We have passed CCTV footage to the police and continue to work with the Environment Agency, Leicestershire County Council and Harborough District Council to help prevent this happening again.”

The consortium confirmed there have been no reports of further fly-tipping over the past few weeks and CCTV cameras and extra security measures will remain in place at the site to prevent any recurrence in the future.

An Environment Agency spokeswoman said: “We are investigating reports of waste deposited near Market Harborough and are working in partnership with Leicestershire County Council to agree what action will be taken.

“We ask members of the public to report waste crime and environmental pollution incidents to us using our 24-hour freephone number, 0800 807060.”