Residents say fly-tipping is ‘getting worse’ after a number of items were ditched to the side of a country road in Weymouth.

Stools and hairdressing equipment were among a heap of rubbish dumped along Icen Lane by a gateway into a field.

Michael Cheeseman, who lives on Icen Lane, says people have been fly-tipping in the area for more than six months and the situation is getting out of hand.

He explained: “This has been going on for more than six months.

“There is a motorcycle which has been left there and now it’s covered with rubbish."

Mr Cheeseman says the situation has worsened with more items added to the pile over the weekend.

He believes a salon in the area has had a refurbishment and some of the old equipment have been left in the lane.

He added: “I think there must have been a refurbishment at a salon and someone has ditched any unwanted equipment. You can see the basins where people put their hair and the stools they sit on.

“The owners might not be aware that it has been chucked there.”

Mr Cheeseman says he has little hope that the situation will be resolved quickly and added: “It’s not getting any better, it’s getting worse. This must have happened at night because every time I walk along the lane there's more stuff.

“This is a lovely lane, and everyone walks through it regularly.”

He said it is a great place to walk his two dogs, but he is now concerned about them dogs getting too close to the rubbish because ‘you don’t always know what is in there.’

“I think we are flogging a dead horse because it keeps happening. I guess we should be grateful they don’t empty the rubbish on to the road.”

Councillor Kevin Brookes of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council called the incident 'disgusting.'

He added that the incident puts 'two fingers up' to all the hard work to improve the environment and area.

Dorset Waste Partnership says that because of the volume of the fly-tipping, they will need the help of Dorset County Council's Highways Team to remove the items.

A spokesman said: “The Dorset Waste Partnership’s (DWP) Enforcement Team began investigating the fly-tip as soon as it was brought to our attention.

"It would appear the waste has been added to over a long period of time, and the majority of the contents could have been taken to a household recycling centre free of charge. Due to the sheer volume of rubbish, we have requested that Dorset County Council’s Highways Team help remove the tipped items as soon as possible."

Reduce the 'blight'

Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill has teamed up with Dorset Waste Partnership to reduce the ‘blight’ of fly-tipping.

A spokesman for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner said: “The commissioner recognises that fly-tipping has implications for community safety, affecting the lives of many Dorset residents, and as such is working to bring together partner agencies to discuss possible action through a problem-solving forum. However, fly-tipping remains a local authority led issue and any reports or information should be submitted to the appropriate council departments.”

Dorset County Council is taking the issue seriously and is encouraging residents to report fly-tipping, which can be done by visiting www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/flytipping by emailing enquiries@dorsetwastepartnership.gov.uk or by calling 01305 221040.

The Dorset Waste Partnership says it will investigate all reported fly-tipping incidents and will attempt to trace and prosecute anyone found to be fly-tipping.

Residents should be aware that they are held legally responsible if they have handed their rubbish to someone else and that person hasn’t correctly disposed of it. Otherwise, they could end up paying a fine or being taken to court.

The council says that most fly-tipping incidents in Dorset consist of household waste that could have been taken to a household recycling centre. There are 11 of these across Dorset which are open daily and are free to visit and do not charge for most items.

Items that are free to drop off include: Household rubbish and recycling, furniture (e.g sofas, tables, chairs, patio furniture), white goods (fridges, cookers, washing machines), garden waste and clothing and textiles.