Massive illegal waste dump left on land near the M4 motorway

A huge amount of illegal waste has been dumped alongside a road in South Gloucestershire[1]. The rubbish was being left along the lower section of the Old Gloucester Road, near where it crosses the M4, and is reportedly clearly visible from the motorway. A lot of the waste had been left in a field adjacent to the Northwood Park travellers site.

South Gloucestershire Council recently approved GBP1.1 million's worth of repairs for the site due to its dire condition. Photos shared with Bristol Live show the huge amount of rubbish that has been left dumped there. The resident who submitted the pictures said he had reported the 'disgraceful' situation to the local authority and was frustrated at how often waste was allowed to build up in the area.

South Gloucestershire Council has said it has now cleared the recent build-up of waste from the site. The resdient added: "Over the last couple of years I have noticed an illegal waste dump," he said. "It's visible from the M4 eastbound just before the junction to Bristol M32. "It's located at the back of Northwood Park caravan park.

I've told the council about it but I think the issue needs public attention. It's disgraceful the amount of waste that has now accumulated there. It seems so obvious because it's so visible from the M4 and I can't believe it's been allowed to carry on.

"The general amount of litter in Bristol is currently unacceptable in my opinion and to see this going on is awful." Many other people have reported waste in the same area using the FixMyStreet website. Fly tipping increased by 72 per cent in the local authority area between 2014 and 2024, but the crime often goes unpunished.

In 2023-24, 2,171 incidents were recorded. But there were only 18 prosecutions and 15 fixed penalty notices. A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said the waste had been cleared, for now. "We are aware of the waste issues around the Old Gloucester Road," the spokesperson said.

"There are a number of complex challenges that make clearances and investigations in this area difficult, however we have carried out waste removals at this location in recent months and attended to clear the fly-tipped waste located in the field gateway earlier this week.

We will continue to work closely with partners and the relevant landowners to address the issues."

Check out all the photos of the flytipping below.

References

1. ^ alongside a road in South Gloucestershire (www.bristolpost.co.uk)