Rubbish problem ruining Burton common (From Bournemouth Echo)

Rubbish problem ruining Burton common

7:00am Friday 3rd July 2009

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DOG-owners and local walkers are being put off their regular amble along a popular bridleway on Burton Common due to an increasing amount of abandoned rubbish.

Bags of domestic waste, carpets, garden rubbish and even a car have been left on the bridleway, which is halfway up Roeshot Hill, past Sains-bury’s on Lyndhurst Road.

Last week seven tonnes of rubbish was dumped on two roads in Bournemouth and was so heavy it took a JCB and lorry to remove it.

Local resident Ian Wilson, who has been walking his dog there for nearly 22 years, says the problem has grown worse recently and due to the warm weather, the rubbish is beginning to reek.

He said: “The car, which has been there for about two months, is now lying in a ditch and polluting the stream there, which runs off into Christchurch harbour.

“I am not the only one who is appalled by this; other dog walkers have also said they are disgusted by it.

“I just wish that someone could remove it. We should be able to enjoy our countryside and not have to worry about the damage being done to it by thoughtless and irresponsible people.”

While Roeshot Hill comes under the responsibility of Christchurch Borough Council, the county boundary, which is marked by the railway line, means that New Forest District Council is taking care of the issue.

A spokesperson for New Forest District Council said: “Our street scene team is aware of the situation at this particular site and will be dealing with the mess that is there.

“It is a problem area and because it is an open space and shared land, it can be hard to monitor.

“We have recently had a meeting with the Environment Agency and will be working with them to see what else we can do in light of the problem of fly-tipping. In the meantime our sub-contractors will be dealing with the present problem.”

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