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| Evidence uncovered in huge pile of flytipped waste | Evidence uncovered in huge pile of flytipped waste |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Diggers were brought in to start removing some of the waste illegally dumped in the early hours of Monday | Diggers were brought in to start removing some of the waste illegally dumped in the early hours of Monday |
| Investigators searching for culprits who illegally dumped a huge pile of waste on a rural Staffordshire road say inquiries are "pointing in one direction". | Investigators searching for culprits who illegally dumped a huge pile of waste on a rural Staffordshire road say inquiries are "pointing in one direction". |
| "We've found a fair bit of evidence in there," environmental protection manager Jack Twomey said, confirming they were following several leads in the inquiry. | "We've found a fair bit of evidence in there," environmental protection manager Jack Twomey said, confirming they were following several leads in the inquiry. |
| "As the waste is being removed, we've been going in there and trying to search through the core of the waste to see if we can find more." | "As the waste is being removed, we've been going in there and trying to search through the core of the waste to see if we can find more." |
| The mountain of rubbish was discovered at about 06:00 GMT on Monday on Watery Lane in Lichfield, leaving residents cut off and business owners unable to reach their premises. | |
| Construction of a housing estate at the other end of Watery Lane was already causing access problems. | Construction of a housing estate at the other end of Watery Lane was already causing access problems. |
| Lichfield District Council said it will find the culprits and hold them responsible for the flytipping, which had appeared overnight. | Lichfield District Council said it will find the culprits and hold them responsible for the flytipping, which had appeared overnight. |
| Under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, people convicted of the offence face an unlimited fine and, in serious cases, a jail sentence. | Under section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, people convicted of the offence face an unlimited fine and, in serious cases, a jail sentence. |
| Speaking on Monday, councillor Phil Whitehouse, cabinet member in charge of waste, said he had been "completely shocked" by the amount dumped and that it appeared to have been a calculated operation. | Speaking on Monday, councillor Phil Whitehouse, cabinet member in charge of waste, said he had been "completely shocked" by the amount dumped and that it appeared to have been a calculated operation. |
| Business owner Natalie Farkas says firms have lost two days trade after the flytipping blocked access to their premises | Business owner Natalie Farkas says firms have lost two days trade after the flytipping blocked access to their premises |
| Business owner Natalie Farkas told the BBC the illegal dumping had blocked firms' only access to their premises and it had exacerbated problems caused by the existing road closures. | Business owner Natalie Farkas told the BBC the illegal dumping had blocked firms' only access to their premises and it had exacerbated problems caused by the existing road closures. |
| Companies have lost two days of trade as a result of the flytipping, she said. | Companies have lost two days of trade as a result of the flytipping, she said. |
| The firms had already seen trade drop by about 40%, because of the ongoing disruption due to the construction of the housing estate. | |
| "It's just been unbearable" she said. "I've been trading for 30 years and this is the most stressful it's ever been," said Ms Farkas. | "It's just been unbearable" she said. "I've been trading for 30 years and this is the most stressful it's ever been," said Ms Farkas. |
| "I've been through four recessions and I've always managed to keep my head in and keep my business going." | "I've been through four recessions and I've always managed to keep my head in and keep my business going." |
| Paul Shaw, managing director for Redrow Midlands, said the housing developer has offered to support the council with cleaning-up the illegal waste as well as supporting with future preventative measures. | Paul Shaw, managing director for Redrow Midlands, said the housing developer has offered to support the council with cleaning-up the illegal waste as well as supporting with future preventative measures. |
| The mound of waste was dumped in just one night, in Watery Lane, Lichfield | The mound of waste was dumped in just one night, in Watery Lane, Lichfield |
| The company has also temporarily opened an access road through their development for local residents and businesses. | The company has also temporarily opened an access road through their development for local residents and businesses. |
| Mr Shaw also said the part of Watery Lane, closed because of the housing estate's construction, is due to reopen in April. | Mr Shaw also said the part of Watery Lane, closed because of the housing estate's construction, is due to reopen in April. |
| Contractors have been on-site since 07:00 GMT, the council said. | Contractors have been on-site since 07:00 GMT, the council said. |
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