A major clean-up operation has taken place this week at Eakring Road, led by Newark and Sherwood District Council, tackling long-standing issues of fly-tipping and environmental damage.
Working in close partnership with Mansfield District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, VIA and local volunteers, the District Council coordinated the removal of a staggering 18 tonnes of waste including:
- 10 tonnes of household waste, such as general rubbish and discarded furniture
- 3 tonnes of hardcore and building waste, which was repurposed to fill mud and water traps along the road
- 5 tonnes of metal, including burnt-out fridge freezers and other large metal debris
- Numerous gas cannisters, some still half full, posing serious risks but were removed from the site safely
The operation highlighted the scale of illegal dumping by unlicensed waste carriers. Residents are urged to check for a valid waste carrier license and request a waste transfer receipt to ensure waste is disposed of properly. Much of the waste could have been taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre, making the fly-tipping both frustrating and avoidable.
As part of the enforcement activity, nine Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued in the area, with all but one paid, demonstrating the Council’s commitment to holding offenders accountable. Trail cameras continue to monitor the site, supporting enforcement of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
During the clean-up, teams discovered a small newt among the burnt-out waste, likely a smooth newt, a protected species. Its presence is a stark reminder of the impact fly-tipping has on local wildlife and the importance of protecting our natural spaces.
Additional clean-up work is scheduled to take place at the end of August, with teams returning to continue clearing the site.
The council is calling on residents’ help to keep the district clean and safe by reporting fly-tips to their teams. If you spot illegal dumping, please report it via the council website here (opens in new window).
Councillor Paul Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Relations, said: “Thank you to our Street Scene and Environment Enforcement teams, our partners and volunteers who have worked tirelessly throughout this week of action. It’s been a long time coming, and while there’s still more to do, the difference we’ve made already is clear. Residents and trail users have stopped to chat with our teams, sharing their support and appreciation for the improvements. Their encouragement has been a real boost to everyone involved.
“Newark and Sherwood District Council is committed to keeping our district clean, safe and welcoming for everyone. This week’s efforts show what we can achieve when we work together, but we need the continued support of our residents to maintain these improvements and prevent future fly-tipping.”
Joint Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities at Mansfield District Council, Cllr Angie Jackson, said: “This week of action on Eakring Road shows what we can achieve when we work together. By joining forces with our partners, we’ve been able to tackle fly-tipping head-on, restore parts of this beautiful area, and put measures in place to prevent it from happening again. Our commitment is clear – we will continue working together to keep our district clean, safe, and a place that residents can be proud of.”
Darren Kenworthy, Rural Crime Prevention Officer, said: “It was a pleasure to be involved in the removal of some of the waste dumped at the location, and to represent Nottinghamshire police’s rural crime team. The improvements were both immediate and clear, and I hope that legitimate users of the area can appreciate them.”
Erin McDaid, Head of Communications at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, said: "Fly tipping and illegal access along Eakring Road are long-term issues which continue to impact a range of sites including our Rainworth Heath Nature Reserve - a Site of Special Scientific Interest. We're delighted to have been able to support the week of action which highlights the power of partnership and is the latest demonstration of partners' determination to continue to co-operate to tackle challenging issues in the area."