Three-piece suite dumped in road
Motorists were forced to drive onto grass verges to avoid furniture dumped in the middle of two roads in Cannock.
A three-piece suite, beds, mattresses and carpets and were strewn across the junction of Norton Lane and Newlands Lane off Lichfield Road near to South Poplars Golf Centre.
Documents found in bags of rubbish suggest the fly-tippers may be from the Walsall area.
The police were called and Cannock Chase District Council teams moved the items from the road to clear the way for motorists.
The council's environmental health team is currently investigating and fly-tippers are being warned they face prosecution, hefty fines and, potentially, a jail sentence.
Councillor Tony Williams said: "Fly-tipping like this just beggars belief. We have a zero tolerance attitude in our battle against the fly-tippers and we will always prosecute where there is sufficient evidence. The documents found at the scene will hopefully lead us to whoever carried out this offence.
"It looks like whoever did this just couldn't be bothered to dispose of the waste properly. That is simply appalling. To leave it strewn across the road at night could have led to an accident.
"I appeal to residents to report any fly-tipping to the council on 01543 462621. If anyone knows anything about the dumped rubbish in Norton Lane and Newlands Lane, then please get in touch."
Fellow cabinet member John Jillings said: "To see rubbish left in the road like this is disgusting. Nationally, fly-tipping costs more than £100 million a year to clean up and in this district the figure is around £20,000. We want to stamp this sort of thing out." Residents who see someone tipping rubbish are asked to make a note of the time and date, location, description of waste tipped, vehicle registration number and, if possible, a description of the fly-tippers themselves.
These details should be passed on to the council as soon as possible on 01543 462621. An online form can also be completed at the Council website at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk
Residents may be eligible for a £100 reward should a successful prosecution arise from their report.
Residents were also reminded that if they give waste to an unlicensed waste carrier to dispose of they are failing in their duty of care. This carries a £5,000 maximum fine. To find out if a tradesman is a licensed waste carrier call the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.
