Ealing cracks down on dangerous waste skips

Ealing Council has successfully prosecuted two businesses for using skips without following the proper regulations.

In both cases the skips were placed on the public highway and were unlit, which is contrary to the Highways Act 1980. All skips on the public highway must be lit at night so that they can be clearly seen by road users.

In the first case Mohammed Sajp, of Azad Skips was fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £350 as well as a victim surcharge of £15 at Ealing Magistrates Court on Thursday, 3 March.

In the second case, Pink Leaf Skips Ltd pleaded guilty to four different offences at Ealing Magistrates Court on Thursday, 3 March, also related to their skips being unlit. They were charged £300 for each offence giving a total of £1200. They were also ordered to pay the council’s full costs of £642.27.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for Transport and Environment, said: “It is dangerous to have skips unlit in the road after dark and I hope these recent fines will be a warning to other skip companies that we will take action if regulations are flouted. Our officers work hard to make sure these companies understand the law so there is no excuse to ignore it.”

Last year the council tightened up its skip policy to ensure the safety and convenience of residents. More information on skips can be found on the council website: www.ealing.gov.uk/skips

16 March 2011