Medway Council has launched a major investigation after discovering nearly nine tonnes of waste abandoned on a rural road, situated just yards from a local authority recycling centre.
Officers came across the staggering 8.9-tonne haul on Shawstead Road during the early hours of Thursday, 5 February. The pile sat almost at the doorstep of the Capstone Household Waste and Recycling Centre. Local officials described the act as remarkably “brazen” because the facility was built specifically to handle the type of debris left in the lane.
The sheer volume of rubbish partially blocked the highway. Consequently, Medway Council had to launch an emergency recovery operation. Specialized crews worked throughout the morning to clear the site so motorists could safely use the road for the morning commute. Enforcement teams estimate the waste was discarded at approximately 4.50am.
Investigators appeal for digital evidence
The search for the culprits has now moved to the public. Council investigators are appealing for witnesses who were driving in the Chatham area at the time. Specifically, they want to see CCTV or dashcam footage captured between 4.00am and 5.30am on the day of the offence.
Enforcement officers have pinpointed three routes of interest:
- Shawstead Road
- North Dane Way
- Princes Avenue
Given the weight of the load, experts believe a heavy goods vehicle or several high-capacity vans were used to transport the materials.
Cllr Alex Paterson, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Community Safety and Enforcement, confirmed the authority is taking a firm stand. He stated that Medway operates a zero-tolerance approach toward those who fail to follow the rules. While he praised the rapid cleanup, he condemned the unsightly and costly nature of the crime.
Taxpayers left with the bill
The proximity of the dump to a legitimate recycling facility has caused significant frustration. While the Capstone centre offers a booking system for waste disposal, the perpetrators chose to block a public thoroughfare instead.
This criminal activity carries a heavy price tag. Cllr Paterson noted that fly-tipping unfairly penalises the law-abiding majority. Every year, thousands of pounds are diverted from essential services—such as road maintenance and social care – to cover the soaring costs of clearing illegal tips.
Legal consequences of dumping
The council is currently scouring the debris for evidence to trace the source of the waste. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the penalties are severe. Courts can hand down unlimited financial fines to both individuals and businesses. Those responsible for serious or repeat offences can face up to five years in prison. Furthermore, any vehicle used for fly-tipping can be seized and permanently destroyed by authorities.
A warning against “rogue” waste carriers
This incident serves as a fresh reminder to householders about their legal duty of care. Many large-scale fly-tips are linked to unlicensed “man with a van” services often found on social media. These operators frequently charge low prices to collect rubbish, only to dump it in the countryside to avoid commercial fees.
Under UK law, the responsibility for waste remains with the producer. If a resident pays an unlicensed carrier and the rubbish is later found in a fly-tip, that resident can be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice or face criminal prosecution.
The council’s advice is simple. Always request a waste carrier registration number and verify it via the Environment Agency’s public register before handing over any items.
Medway’s wider battle with waste crime
The Shawstead Road case is part of a much larger struggle. In the last financial year alone, Medway Council dealt with more than 5,300 separate reports of fly-tipping.
The total bill for street cleansing and waste enforcement has now hit approximately £4 million annually. Council leaders argue that this money could be better spent on community projects if illegal dumping were eradicated.
If you have information about the Shawstead Road incident, or if you spotted suspicious vehicles in the area that morning, contact the Medway Council Environmental Enforcement team. Reports are handled with the strictest confidence.
