High Wycombe: Spearing Road fly-tipping continues

A resident of Spearing Road in High Wycombe was left “disgusted” after a brazen fly-tipper dumped two mouldy fridge freezers and building waste on the side of the road two weeks ago.  

However, cleaning up the waste has proved to be complicated because of unclarity over who is responsible - Buckinghamshire Council, Red Kite Housing or Chiltern Rangers.

The council said the land was the responsibility of Red Kite, while Red Kite said they own the road and up to the kerb and the land beyond that is operated by Chiltern Rangers.

Spearing Road has suffered from repeated fly-tipping (Image: Anonymous resident)

Managing director of Chiltern Rangers John Shaw claimed: “The reality is, it’s local residents chucking waste into those woods. It’s not stuff from out of town.

“People don’t want to pay to dispose of their stuff. Fly-tipping is magnetic, unfortunately.

“We are responsible for the woodland area behind the green fence, we installed the fence to reduce fly tipping. It keeps things like cars out at least. There still is a car in the woodland from 20 years ago. It’s more hassle to get it out, it’s sad but it’s the reality.”

The conservation group was going out to have “yet another clean up day” on June 8 to clear the waste, which anyone could join in. 

“It’s been going on for 20 years. Whether it’s gotten worse or not I’m not sure, it’s always been bad," he said. 

John said Red Kite was responsible for maintenance of the road and up to the fence and the council for the green area up to the woods.

The problem was “never going to be resolved” until the council, Red Kite and the police worked together, he said.

He pleaded with the residents to “take pride in their place” and for the council and Red Kite to enforce against fly-tipping.

“It’s tonnes of waste every year. It’s time, cost and impact. We could be spending that time on planting trees, looking after woodlands or working with schools. The appeal needs to be to the local people, they need to use recycling facilities.  

“We are always happy to work together but are the smallest organisation by far. They need to flex their muscles and do some prosecuting.”

The resident said it was "very unfair that no one feels responsible to remove it." 

"It's disgusting," she added. 

Red Kite's head of communications and brand Julie Gamble-Kempe said the housing association had liaised with Buckinghamshire Council to install more bins in the area. 

They regularly "carry out litter picks here with Chiltern Rangers," she said. 

She continued: "Last year we spent almost £50,000 clearing up litter and fly-tipping. This is tenants’ money that could be spent in more beneficial ways. We therefore ask that everyone discards their waste responsibly and reports details of any fly-tippers seen in the area."