Council proposes £505,000 fly-tipping crackdown in Blackburn with Darwen

Blackburn with Darwen Council is proposing a £505,000 investment to strengthen its response to fly-tipping, subject to the necessary approvals.

The Council says the money is intended to help tackle problem areas more effectively and support faster responses to incidents. The measures set out include faster removal of dumped waste, stronger enforcement action against offenders, enhanced CCTV and investigative activity, and targeted intervention in fly-tipping hotspots.

Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “This proposed investment demonstrates our commitment to tackling the issue head-on.”

Councillor Jim Casey, Executive Member for Environment and Communities, said: “Fly-tipping is simply not acceptable. It blights communities, affects local pride”

Tony Watson, Director of Environment and Resident Services, also backed the proposal in the council announcement.

The council says it issued 93 fly-tipping penalties worth £32,838 last year. Separately, official Defra figures for 2024/25 show Blackburn with Darwen recorded 55 prosecution actions, 53 court fine outcomes and £32,838 in court-imposed fines. Defra also records 118 fly-tipping fixed penalty notices specifically for fly-tipping in the same period.

The announcement also refers to a case in which around two tonnes of commercial waste were dumped in the grounds of Royal Blackburn Hospital. Environmental Crime Officers found a takeaway pizza receipt in the waste that helped link it to the company responsible. The company was ordered to pay more than £20,000 in fines, costs and compensation.

The council says further prosecutions are progressing alongside ongoing investigations and the use of Fixed Penalty Notices.