Farmer slams fly tipping of land between Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent

Farmer Rod Parker, 58, explained that secluded land between Abersychan in Torfaen and St Illtyd in Blaenau Gwent, near Cwm-Du Wood, has been targeted by fly tippers.

He said that the rubbish is a danger to the sheep that graze there as they may eat anything edible or cut themselves on the dumped items and die from infection.

“It is also a worry for the many walkers who use the area in the summer months as you just do not know what is amongst the fly tipping,” he explained.

He said that the fly-tipping has been going on for a number of months, but it has increased dramatically in the last six weeks with pockets of fly tipping appearing all over the landscape.

Mr Parker said: “The farmers in the area try to keep the site clean but now there is so much of it that we are fighting a losing battle.

“Something needs to be done and soon before it gets even worse.”

Abersychan ward councillor, Wayne Tomlinson, took the time to take a look at the site.

He said: “It’s disgusting and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, Most of it is builder’s material, there’s concrete, materials from roofs and floors.

“It makes you think that someone is being paid to dispose of it legally and then just dumping it.”

He said he has reported the issue to Torfaen council, while Mr Parker has contacted Blaenau Gwent Council.

Cllr Tomlinson added: “It’s going to cost a lot of money to clean it up but something has to be done about it and the local authorities must work together to put a stop to it.”

A Blaenau Gwent Council spokeswoman said: "Fly tipping is an anti-social and dangerous problem and costs council tax payers thousands of pounds every year to clear away. It is unsightly and pollutes our environment.

"We treat this problem very seriously and we always investigate every case of fly-tipped waste.

"If we can obtain sufficient evidence we will always prosecute anyone who fly-tips within the county borough."