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Fly-tipped waste cleared from Birtley housing estate
Overview
Gateshead Council has cleared two large piles of illegally dumped waste from a playing field in Dorset Avenue, Birtley. The waste, which included gas canisters, paint, medical equipment, sofas, and washing machines, posed a serious explosion and health hazard if set alight. Clearing the site required 20 staff and 12 vehicles costing over £20,000, and forced the council to divert resources away from other local services.
Key points
- Two large piles of fly-tipped waste were dumped on a playing field in Dorset Avenue, Birtley.
- Items left included gas canisters, paint, medical equipment, syringes, industrial waste, sofas, and washing machines.
- Gateshead Council warned the materials posed explosion and toxic fume risks if set alight ahead of Bonfire Night.
- One waste pile was located near a children's climbing frame.
- The clean-up operation involved 20 staff and 12 vehicles, costing more than £20,000.
- The operation forced the council to divert staff and equipment from other services, such as emptying street bins.