A woman from Patchway has been ordered to pay a total of £700 in fines and costs after South Gloucestershire Council prosecuted her following the discovery of fly-tipped household and garden waste.
Neta Jones of Bradley Road, Patchway appeared at Bristol Magistrates Court in March. She pleaded guilty to failing in her duty of care for waste and was handed a £200 fine, ordered to pay costs of £420 and a victim surcharge of £80.
The court heard that starting in July 2025, various Patchway residents noticed earth and other waste began to be fly-tipped against a wall on the car parking area at Arlingham Way in Patchway. The waste included several tonnes of earth, black bin bags, carpet and a cut out part of a preformed plastic pond. There is a ‘No Fly-Tipping’ sign clearly displayed in this car park area.
Councillor Sean Rhodes, cabinet member responsible for environmental enforcement at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Illegally dumped waste is not only unsightly and can negatively impact communities, but it is also a serious environmental crime that costs the council time and money to clear. We all have a duty to dispose of our waste responsibly and that includes when dealing with third party waste collectors.
“Residents are advised to be wary of cold callers and businesses or people advertising waste clearances on social media sites such as Facebook. There are a number of legitimate options for waste removal, including the council’s large household waste collection service. If you hire a third-party to dispose of your waste, always ask for a copy of the company’s waste carrier registration certificate, make a note of their details and ask where the waste is being taken.”
Residents and businesses are advised to only give their rubbish to an Environment Agency registered waste carrier.