A RESIDENT from Southampton has been fined £1,000 after bags of household waste were discovered fly-tipped on a country lane near Salisbury.

Environmental Enforcement officers from Wiltshire Council launched an investigation after two black bags of rubbish were reported dumped near a riverbank in the rural lane in Burcombe.

Officers attending the scene examined the contents of the waste and were able to trace it back to a property in Southampton.

When contacted, the individual said they had stopped in the area to deal with a flat tyre.

They explained that the spare wheel was stored in the boot of the car, meaning they had to remove two bags of household rubbish and other items to access it.

The bags were reportedly placed at the roadside while the tyre was changed, but the driver later admitted leaving the area without remembering to put them back in the vehicle.

However, the waste was later discovered further down the riverbank, close to the watercourse rather than at the roadside where it was said to have been left.

Following the investigation, the person responsible was issued with a £1,000 fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping, which has since been paid in full.

As the matter was dealt with by a penalty notice rather than a court case, the individual cannot be named.

Cabinet member for highways Cllr Martin Smith said: “Fly-tipping is completely unacceptable, and we remain committed to holding anyone who disposes of waste illegally to account.

“In this case, the individual had several simple and legal options to manage their household waste, including putting it out for their regular waste collection or taking it to their local household recycling centre. Instead, the bags were left at the roadside, with the person claiming to have forgotten them after changing a tyre.

“Fly-tipping, whether intentional or through carelessness, damages our countryside, threatens rivers and wildlife, and leaves landowners facing the burden of clearing it up. Our Environmental Enforcement officers will continue to investigate all reports thoroughly and take firm action wherever the evidence allows.”

Residents can report incidents of fly-tipping to Wiltshire Council online.