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| Evidence of culprits found in Lichfield's huge flytipped waste pile | |
| (21 days later) | |
| Diggers were brought in to start removing some of the waste illegally dumped in the early hours of Monday | Diggers were brought in to start removing some of the waste illegally dumped in the early hours of Monday |
| Investigators searching for the culprits who illegally dumped a huge pile of waste on a rural Staffordshire road say inquiries are "pointing in one direction". | Investigators searching for the culprits who illegally dumped a huge pile of waste on a rural Staffordshire road say inquiries are "pointing in one direction". |
| The mountain of rubbish was discovered at about 06:00 GMT on Monday on Watery Lane in Lichfield, leaving residents cut off and business owners unable to reach their premises. | The mountain of rubbish was discovered at about 06:00 GMT on Monday on Watery Lane in Lichfield, leaving residents cut off and business owners unable to reach their premises. |
| Environmental protection manager Jack Twomey said officers had been searching the waste as it was being removed. | Environmental protection manager Jack Twomey said officers had been searching the waste as it was being removed. |
| "We've found a fair bit of evidence in there," he said. | "We've found a fair bit of evidence in there," he said. |
| Under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, people convicted of flytipping face an unlimited fine and, in serious cases, a jail sentence. | Under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, people convicted of flytipping face an unlimited fine and, in serious cases, a jail sentence. |
| Lichfield District Council said it would hold those responsible to account. | Lichfield District Council said it would hold those responsible to account. |
| Councillor Phil Whitehouse, cabinet member in charge of waste, said on Monday that the flytipping appeared to have been a calculated operation. | Councillor Phil Whitehouse, cabinet member in charge of waste, said on Monday that the flytipping appeared to have been a calculated operation. |
| Beth Toovey, who runs the Thyme Kitchen restaurant, told the Today programme there was "disbelief" among businesses and the impact on them had been "huge". | Beth Toovey, who runs the Thyme Kitchen restaurant, told the Today programme there was "disbelief" among businesses and the impact on them had been "huge". |
| "It's not only the lost revenue but also the disruption to the customers and staff," she said. "I am hopeful that whoever has done this will be apprehended." | "It's not only the lost revenue but also the disruption to the customers and staff," she said. "I am hopeful that whoever has done this will be apprehended." |
| The mound of waste was dumped in just one night, in Watery Lane, Lichfield | The mound of waste was dumped in just one night, in Watery Lane, Lichfield |
| Nearby firms said they had already seen trade drop by about 40% because of ongoing disruption and road closures caused by the construction of a housing estate at the other end of the road. | Nearby firms said they had already seen trade drop by about 40% because of ongoing disruption and road closures caused by the construction of a housing estate at the other end of the road. |
| Business owner Natalie Farkas told BBC Midlands Today the illegal dumping had caused firms to lose two days' of trade because it had blocked their only access to their premises. | Business owner Natalie Farkas told BBC Midlands Today the illegal dumping had caused firms to lose two days' of trade because it had blocked their only access to their premises. |
| "It's just been unbearable," she said. "I've been trading for 30 years and this is the most stressful it's ever been," said Ms Farkas, who said she had survived four recessions. | "It's just been unbearable," she said. "I've been trading for 30 years and this is the most stressful it's ever been," said Ms Farkas, who said she had survived four recessions. |
| Business owner Natalie Farkas says firms have lost two days' trade after the flytipping blocked access to their premises | Business owner Natalie Farkas says firms have lost two days' trade after the flytipping blocked access to their premises |
| Paul Shaw, managing director for Redrow Midlands, said the housing developer had offered to support the council with clearing the waste, as well as supporting with future preventative measures. | Paul Shaw, managing director for Redrow Midlands, said the housing developer had offered to support the council with clearing the waste, as well as supporting with future preventative measures. |
| The company has also temporarily opened an access road through their development for residents and businesses. | The company has also temporarily opened an access road through their development for residents and businesses. |
| Mr Shaw confirmed the part of Watery Lane closed because of the construction was due to reopen in April. | Mr Shaw confirmed the part of Watery Lane closed because of the construction was due to reopen in April. |
| Contractors have been onsite since 07:00 GMT, the council said. | Contractors have been onsite since 07:00 GMT, the council said. |
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