Dorset Council is appealing for information from the public after a significant fly‑tipping incident involving large containers and liquid waste was discovered on the A35 near Bloxworth and Morden.
Several large containers were found dumped by the roadside. A substantial amount of liquid had leaked from the containers and spread along the edge of the carriageway and into the roadside drainage channel. This has led to a complex clean‑up operation and a potential risk to the local environment.
Dorset Council’s Highways and Waste teams have been working closely to manage the site safely and clear the waste. Temporary traffic lights were put in place to allow a lane closure so specialist contractors could access the area.
However, because of the volume of material and the way it has spread, this has so far only enabled just under half of the dumped substance to be cleared. Further removal work is planned, but in the meantime, spill kits have been deployed to contain the remaining liquid and prevent it spreading. The substance is believed to be an oil‑based paint, although this has not yet been confirmed.
The council has confirmed that the material dumped is not household waste and would not be accepted at any household recycling centre. The quantity, type of containers and nature of the material mean it is unlikely to be linked to normal household recycling activity.
The costs associated with dealing with the incident are expected to be significant and will ultimately be borne by the public if the person(s) responsible cannot be identified.
Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services, said: “This is a serious fly‑tipping incident that has caused disruption on a key route and requires specialist work to clear up safely.
“Our priority is to deal with the waste responsibly and protect the local environment, but we are also keen to identify who is responsible. If anyone saw vehicles stopping along this stretch of the A35, or noticed anything unusual around the time the waste was dumped, I would urge them to contact us. Information from the public can play a vital role in helping us take action.”
