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Coronavirus: Long Bennington illegal tip shut down in raid | Coronavirus: Long Bennington illegal tip shut down in raid |
(32 minutes later) | |
An illegal rubbish tip "the size of a football pitch" has been shut down after reports of waste being burnt. | An illegal rubbish tip "the size of a football pitch" has been shut down after reports of waste being burnt. |
The site on Fen Lane in Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, was raided by the Environment Agency on Thursday. | The site on Fen Lane in Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, was raided by the Environment Agency on Thursday. |
Two people were arrested and officials said a lorry depositing waste at the dump and an excavator were seized. | Two people were arrested and officials said a lorry depositing waste at the dump and an excavator were seized. |
The agency said the operation, which included fires "as big as bungalows", was having a "significant impact" on local people and the environment. | The agency said the operation, which included fires "as big as bungalows", was having a "significant impact" on local people and the environment. |
Norman Robinson, agency area director, said: "Deliberately stockpiling and burning waste that should be safely disposed of is dangerous enough. | Norman Robinson, agency area director, said: "Deliberately stockpiling and burning waste that should be safely disposed of is dangerous enough. |
"But doing so in the current situation while people and legitimate businesses are so restricted shows a shocking disregard for our communities, society and the environment." | "But doing so in the current situation while people and legitimate businesses are so restricted shows a shocking disregard for our communities, society and the environment." |
The Environment Agency has served criminal behaviour orders on those present, and blocked entrances to the site. | The Environment Agency has served criminal behaviour orders on those present, and blocked entrances to the site. |
An investigation is also under way to establish if there are any further environmental breaches, including polluting nearby water courses. | An investigation is also under way to establish if there are any further environmental breaches, including polluting nearby water courses. |
Meanwhile, queues built up outside tips in Manchester as they reopened at the weekend for the first time since the lockdown began. | |
But other councils said they would only reopen with sufficient staffing and personal protective equipment for workers. | |
Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick has urged councils to reopen tips "as soon as possible". | |
It comes after some areas reported a rise in fly-tipping since the coronavirus restrictions came into force. | |
Lincolnshire County Council, which operates 11 public waste sites across the county, said it was introducing a booking system, initially for garden waste and wood. | |
Eddy Poll, executive councillor for waste and recycling, said: "I know it's been frustrating having the sites closed for almost six weeks. | |
"We're introducing a new booking system so we can safely manage the numbers of people into and out of the sites, quantities and operate within the government's social distancing guidelines." | |
Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. |
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