Trailers full of waste are dumped on busy Nottingham dual carriageway

The Environment Agency is appealing for information after trailers full of waste have been found dumped along the A453 in Nottinghamshire. The trailers, packed with 'shredded or baled waste,' have been found in the last few weeks.

There have been two on the northbound A453 near Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, south of Nottingham. The trailers have been dumped in laybys on busy dual carriageways. There have also been other incidents in Derbyshire.

Some of the trailers contain loose shredded waste, whilst some contain baled waste. Some have also had their tops cut off to make them easier to fill. Each trailer can hold about 100 cubic metres, or 24 tonnes of waste. The trailers range in design and include old refrigerated units and rigid ambient units.

Further afield, though thought to be possibly linked to the Derby and Nottingham incidents, a trailer containing baled waste was dumped in a layby on the westbound A6 at Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, in early October. Around the end of October, a refrigerated trailer containing waste was also dumped in a layby on the southbound A38 London Road at Weeford, Lichfield in Staffordshire.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "This kind of waste crime is a blight on our communities, the environment and is costly to the taxpayer who foots the bill to dispose of the trailers and the waste. At present, the origin of the waste is unknown and the Environment Agency is investigating to identify the site or sites and those responsible.

“The incidents could well be linked and be orchestrated by an organised crime group. Anyone with information is urged to contact our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60, or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org

“If you see waste trailers in the act of being dumped, report this immediately to the police on 999.”