Hanwell Resident Fined After Complaining About Lack of Bins

Says poor provision on George Street is leading to build up of litter

Residents without waste collection say they are being accused of flytipping. Picture: Datta Sompura

November 6, 2025

A Hanwell resident has launched a petition and public campaign after more than six months without council-provided bins or regular street cleaning on George Street. Datta Sompura says the situation culminated in him receiving an unexpected Fixed Penalty Notice for alleged fly tipping. His campaign calls on the council to withdraw the fine, provide appropriate waste facilities for the affected properties and restore routine cleaning to the street.

Mr Sompura says the property, which sits behind shops on Hanwell High Street and opens onto a shared car park, has been overlooked despite neighbouring buildings having full waste arrangements. He describes a build-up of rubbish and debris that he says led to a maggot infestation over the summer and contributed to his own prolonged stomach illness. He has published photographs documenting litter and detritus on George Street. At the time of writing 146 people had signed the petition.

The resident says repeated complaints made through the council’s online system have not produced a resolution. He also alleges practical problems challenging the Fixed Penalty Notice, saying the online challenge link did not load on any device he tried and that the timescales in the council’s correspondence—14 days to pay the FPN versus up to 20 days for a council response—created confusion and a perceived unfairness in the process. “Residents shouldn’t be punished for circumstances created by the council’s own inaction,” he said.

The campaign points to borough level enforcement figures to question priorities. Publicly reported totals for fly tipping fines in Ealing have risen in recent months following an increase in the maximum fine, and campaigners say the borough could be generating substantial revenue from Fixed Penalty Notices even as some streets reportedly lack basic services. Mr Sompura’s petition urges a transparent review of contracts and consultation processes to ensure value for money and equitable service delivery across the borough.

Ealing Council has not yet responded directly to the resident’s specific allegations about George Street, but it has previously made public statements highlighting fly tipping and litter as priorities and publicised enforcement activity across the borough. Council leaders say they are stepping up action against illegal dumping and promoting community reporting, while also running street cleaning and waste collection services across Ealing. The petition’s organisers say those general commitments do not address their postcode level experience of being left without bins.

Council officials argue that FPNs are a necessary tool to deter illegal dumping and to protect public spaces.

Mr Sompura says, “I’ve genuinely tried to work with the council to make Hanwell cleaner for everyone. But at this point, we need action, not further delay.”