The Environment Agency has begun work to remove over 30,000 tonnes of dumped waste from Hoad’s Wood in Kent.
Lorries have begun to remove tonnes of harmful waste from Hoad’s Wood in Kent as part of a major operation to aid the recovery of the woodlands, the Environment Agency announced today.
The operation, coordinated by the Environment Agency and carried out by Acumen Waste Services Ltd, will involve removing over 30,000 tonnes of household and construction waste from 2 acres of the 200-acre woodland.
The Environment Agency has previously warned there could be unknown hazards buried beneath the 30,000 tonnes of waste.
More than 50 specialist workers have been deployed to dig up the harmful waste and transport it for safe disposal. The entire operation is expected to take over 12 months to complete.
Commenting on the operation, Enforcement and Investigations Manager at the Environment Agency, Emma Viner, said: “The damage caused by these shameless criminals rocked the community of Ashford and robbed residents of an important habitat which holds a special place in their hearts.
“Our efforts are now focused on removing all the waste and bringing those behind this heinous crime to justice. Complex investigations like this take time but we are using our specialist enforcement resources to make sure this type of crime does not pay.”
Our efforts are now focused on removing all the waste and bringing those behind this heinous crime to justice.
In February, three people were arrested by the Environment Agency, Kent Police and the Joint Unit for Waste Crime as part of an investigation into who fly-tipped the waste.
The Environment Agency launched the investigation in 2023 after household and construction waste piled 15 feet high in places was discovered in the woodland.
Investigators said gangs of organised criminals are behind the dumped debris and aggregate in the woodland, which is a site of special scientific interest as it’s home to rare plants and wildlife.
Waste Minister Mary Creagh commented: “Illegal dumping is a serious criminal offence which blights communities and damages our natural environment.
“The community in Ashford shouldn’t have to put up with the disgusting actions of these criminal gangs. I would like to thank the Environment Agency and its partners for their clean-up efforts, which will allow residents to once again enjoy this vital green space.
“This government is determined to crack down on waste criminals, which is why we recently announced plans to ensure vehicles involved in waste crime are seized and crushed.”
The post Environment Agency launches clean-up of Kent beauty spot appeared first on Circular Online.