Surrey really is set in the heart of the Home Counties. No wonder the Romans were in such a rush to send the Atrebates tribe packing. Although they too had crossed the Channel a decade earlier to settle in oak woods surrounding a river. They may not have been the tidiest people in the world. Although I doubt they could have imagined the extent of fly tipping in Surrey today.
Not a Pretty Sight Beside a Woodland Bridleway (Colin Smith BY CC 2.0)
Dumped Household Waste Reaches Pandemic Proportions
Local news hounds Surrey Live were more than a little agitated when they took offence at what’s happening outside recycling centres. And no wonder, given reports they received suggesting the scourge was twenty times worse year-on-year.
Moreover, this time we can’t lay the blame on garbage removal companies as some might, but not me. Some of black bags apparently contain empty whiskey bottles, and smoked salmon let’s say somewhat past their use by date.
It’s become imperative to get law enforcement out of their cozy routine, and start successfully prosecuting these offences. I recently saw similar signs of a lack of interest in Mitcham where I live, and Beckenham where work frequently.
Practical Advice: What to Do from Surrey Environment Partnership
Surrey Environment Partnership comprises Surrey County Council, and the eleven district and borough councils in that county. They have suggestions for what we might like to do if we spot fly tipping in progress, or notice regular household waste dumping in a particular place:
1… Call 999 if you see these illegal activities in progress. Do not attempt to intervene yourself.
2… If a public highway is blocked with garbage and other trash, call Surrey County Council 0300 200 1003 they will know what to do.
3… If you stumble over already-fly-tipped garbage please report it to the local district or borough council concerned.
4… However, if you believe a local business is acting irresponsibly, call the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
Extreme Fly Tipping in Surrey on Farleigh Court Road (Image Robin Webster BY CC 2.0)
We Can Only Stop this Insanity by Acting Together
My name is Jeffrey Avery. I am by profession a professional probate valuer of household furniture antiques and personal effects often related to deceased estates. I also offer a house clearance service for clients who appreciate the convenience of a property left clean, tidy, and empty for sale or transfer to a landlord.
Unfortunately there’s a rough end to the industry who undercut my reasonable rates, and then dump everything down the first conveniently quiet lane. This does honest people such as myself a great disservice, especially when they try to fob it off on honest operators. I am reaching out through my blog to fight the scourge the way I know best.
Why Has Fly Tipping in Surrey Become Such an Issue?
Community website Surrey Live posted an update on January 26, 2022 that left me reeling.
1… Reigate and Banstead is a mixed-use district in east Surrey with pockets of abundant wildlife. Their number of reported dumping incidents jumped from 524 to 10,538 year-on-year.
2… Spelthorne is a local government district and borough in Surrey, England based in Staines-upon-Thames. It got away relatively lightly with a doubling in incidents from 1,016 to 2,300 but that’s still what I would call a disgrace.
Car Tailgate Fly-Tipped between Localities in the Borough of Woking (Image Si Griffiths BY CC 3.0)
Meaningful Insight from a Concerned Citizen in Spelthorne
Surrey Live chatted with a concerned resident we’ll call Jo to respect their confidentiality. ‘Fly tipping is getting worse in Surrey’, they explained. ‘People seemed to be doing more home improvements during lockdown and a few fly-by-night operators set up business’.
Once a few get away with dumping household waste the rest will follow. It’s as if the activity becomes legit just by being there. A spokesperson for the council responded by affirming ‘of course we want to put a stop to it’. But how successful are they really?
Are they getting too accustomed to fly tipping in Surrey? Is what I show here the new normal in the south of England. I hope not, but I really fear this is the way things are going. Putting out leaflets and appearing at bazaars is not good enough. We need action now!
Unsolicited Review from a Client
I rarely write reviews but feel given the service I received from Avery Associates it would be appropriate. I was rather daunted at the prospect of dealing with the estate of my deceased uncle and having to organize probate property and contents valuation. Jeffrey had been recommended to me, so we instructed him from the beginning. He was polite, efficient and assisted us throughout the process. From providing the RICS valuations needed to satisfy HMRC and advising us how best to sell items of value, to clearing and cleaning the property of the remaining items – it was a first rate service. Many thanks again, J.v
Jeffrey Avery
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