Illegal Tyre Disposal in the Media
According to recent reports in the media two men are being cautioned for the illegal tyre disposal of 3000 tyres. The two men, aged 63 and 35 have been bailed pending further investigation. In an unusual step from the Environment Agency contractors were bought in to remove the car tyres. It took two days to move the tyres which concerned the Environment Agency for fears of risk of fire and of pollution.
The tyres were found in a garage in Cardiff. These tyres were a mixture of van tyres, commercial vehicle tyres and 4×4 tyres. “If these tyres had caught fire, toxic smoke would have polluted the air, wildlife in the Conwy estuary would have suffered, and the railway and main north-south trunk road could have been closed until the fire was put out,” said EAW’s Sian Williams.
It cost the taxpayer a staggering £2,300,000 for the investigation and clear up of illegally dumped UK tyres. However, tyres disposed of correctly can be re-used in all sorts of applications and even used for athletics tracks. Perhaps they could have saved money at the Olympics by using old tyres!
The consequences of illegal tyre dumping can be a fine of up to £20,000. This can also be punished by a prison sentence.