MP calls for Dudley waste mountain to be shifted

Dudley North MP Ian Austin says it is 'completely unacceptable' the waste has been left to pile up in Shaw Road, Dudley – and demanded immediate option.

Work started to remove the waste land month but has since stopped, according to the Environment Agency.

And Mr Austin has called on Environment Secretary Michael Gove to help move the massive mountain of rubbish.

He also urged Dudley Council, the police and the tax authorities to take tougher action to put pressure on the people responsible for the site.

The Environment Agency estimates 2,000 tons of rubbish have been dumped at the Rowanoak site.

Mr Austin said: “Local businesses and I are fed up with the time it is taking to sort this out.

“It’s been dragging on for far too long and I want Michael Gove to get the Environment Agency to get a grip and sort it out much more quickly.

“Local businesses provide jobs for people in Dudley and pay a fortune in business rates and it is completely unacceptable that they should have this huge mountain of rubbish and all the environmental problems it causes ion their doorstep.”

Mr Austin said the EA took enforcement action against the people responsible more than a year ago but 'only a tiny amount has been shifted and work has already stopped' since work began last month.

The MP has been working with businesses to put pressure on council chiefs and the Agency to clear the site. But he said he is 'very unhappy' at the speed of progress, and asked Mr Gove to put pressure on the agency to deal with the issue more quickly.

EA environment officer Steve Rogers said: “Waste on the site of Rowanoak Waste, Shaw Road, Dudley, started to be removed by the landowner in June 2017 but has currently stopped.

"We are working with the landowner to rectify this situation as soon as possible.

"While our investigation into the depositing of the waste at the site is ongoing, we have been working with the permit holders and landowners to secure the safe and legal removal of waste at the site, and will continue to do so until the site is clear.

"We estimate the site contains 2,000 tonnes of waste which will be taken to landfill. We are monitoring and tracking the waste to make sure it is being disposed of safely.

"We take our role as a regulator seriously and we take enforcement action against anyone operating outside their permit or operating illegally.

"If anyone has any concerns about a waste site, do call us on 0800 80 70 60.”