Sandwell Council has returned to a notorious fly-tipping hotspot at Forge Lane and Park Lane after more illegally dumped waste appeared just weeks after a major enforcement and clean-up operation.
Sandwell Council has returned to a notorious fly-tipping hotspot at Forge Lane and Park Lane after more illegally dumped waste appeared just weeks after a major enforcement and clean-up operation.
The latest operation saw council teams remove further waste from the site only three weeks since the last clean up. The teams were able to gather evidence which will lead to investigations into those responsible for dumping rubbish illegally.
The return visit follows a major joint operation involving Sandwell Council, Birmingham City Council and waste contractor Serco, during which more than 17.2 tonnes of illegally dumped waste were removed from the hotspot. Before the waste was cleared, officers carefully examined it for evidence, leading to a number of individuals being identified as part of ongoing investigations.
The Council announced that the fly-tipping hotspot will see additional surveillance cameras installed to catch perpetrators.
Bob Jones, Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement at Sandwell Council, said:
"Residents are fed up with seeing their communities treated like a dumping ground and so are we.
"We have already removed more than 17 tonnes of waste from this hotspot, identified a number of individuals through evidence recovered at the site and launched investigations.
"The fact that waste has returned only strengthens our resolve to tackle this problem and hold those responsible to account. Sandwell is not a dumping ground, and we will continue taking action against those who treat it as one."
Council officers stress that tackling fly-tipping is about more than simply clearing rubbish. Evidence recovered from waste can help identify both those responsible for dumping it and anyone who may have failed in their duty of care when arranging for waste to be removed.
Residents are being reminded to check that anyone removing waste on their behalf is properly authorised and holds a valid waste carrier licence. Choosing an unlicensed operator can contribute to fly-tipping and may result in waste being dumped illegally.
Fly-tipping remains a significant issue nationally, with local authorities in England dealing with 1.26 million incidents in 2024/25. Forge Mill Lane continues to be a priority hotspot for enforcement activity due to its location on the boundary between Sandwell and Birmingham.
Residents can report fly-tipping in Sandwell using the council's online reporting form or by calling 0121 569 7474.