Buckinghamshire Council features on Filthy Britain TV show

The council’s waste team will be appearing in episodes of Channel 5’s ‘Filthy Britain SOS’, a fly-on-the-wall series following the work of those fighting back against fly-tipping.

Filmed across “various locations” in the county, the series shines a light on the amount of waste being dumped across the UK and the extensive work of Buckinghamshire Council’s officers having to clear up after those who litter the countryside and towns.

Enforcement Officer David Rounding, who appears in the show, said: “I support any way of getting the message out to people about how anti-social fly-tipping is and how expensive and time-consuming clear up operations are.

“While the series is hugely entertaining and it was good to take part, the serious message is don’t fly-tip, be responsible and avoid a criminal record, hefty fine or even a custodial sentence.”

Some of the areas shown in the series include:

Little Marlow, where bags and cannabis was dumped

High Wycombe, where fly-tipped items were left on a street

Beaconsfield, where an abandoned lorry trailer was left!

Filthy Britain SOS is on Channel 5 every Sunday evening at 8pm on or on demand at My5.tv. Buckinghamshire’s work first features in episode three, which aired on June 14.

Back in April, Buckinghamshire Council adopted a “zero tolerance” fly-tipping strategy, introducing fines of up to £400 for those caught illegally dumping their waste.

But lockdown has seen dozens of fly-tipping incidents across the county.

Buckingham West councillor Robin Stuchburry sent Bucks Free Press this image of rubbish chucked out in North Buckinghamshire recently.

He said: “Is fly-tipping on the rise in Buckinghamshire? Judging by my personal experience it would suggest fly-tipping is on the increase, which is a real concern not only for the environment but the increased cost this puts upon the local authority.

“At this time resources are being deployed to support people who are in great need of assistance through this coronavirus pandemic, resulting in those council taxpayers who choose to do the right thing and ensure that any of the rubbish is accompanied by a waste disposal licence indirectly are paying the cost of individuals who are choosing not to act legally and have a disregard for the environment we live within.”

A BFP reader got in touch to show us pictures of waste dumped in Littleworth Road, Downley.

“Those of us that grew up in South Buckinghamshire sometimes forget how lucky we are to have such amazing countryside right on our doorstep. Countryside like that found around the village of Downley, nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) on the edge of High Wycombe.

“But each day for the past few years when I walk my dog, my heart sinks at one particular point along the way.

“Here I am greeted each day by an ever-increasing heap of builders’ waste, discarded mattresses and an assortment of other waste that has no place being there.

“A true blot on the landscape.”

Several other reports of fly-tipping have been logged at FixMyStreet.com.

Councillor Bill Chapple, Buckinghamshire Council’s environment boss, said: “A very small minority of people simply don’t care about our beautiful countryside and see it as a way of ducking their responsibility to dispose of waste properly.

“Well not in Buckinghamshire — we will continue to do everything to track criminals down and bring them to justice. We always operate a zero-tolerance approach so you have been warned.”

Oliver Sirrell , Local Democracy Reporting Service