WARRINGTON residents who allow rogue traders to dump their household waste could face a fine of up to £50,000 trading standards chiefs have warned.
Officers from the council’s street scene and trading standards are warning residents to be on their guard following
unscrupulous traders who cold called, carried out gardening work then dumped all the rubbish.
In the majority of cases, these rogue traders don’t have the correct licences to remove waste and it could be those who have “employed” them left facing the consequences.
Now the borough council has issued the following advice to anyone who is employing contractors to remove waste.
*If you employ someone to remove waste from your property you must check that they have a licence to carry waste.
*They should be able to show the licence to you. Legitimate traders will be happy to show their credentials and to dispose of the waste legally.
*If they can’t then you can contact the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm).
Anyone who doesn’t check the licence and then the rubbish is illegally dumped could be open to prosecution. The maximum penalty for fly-tipping is £50,000.
If a trader cold calls and you agree to work which is more than £35 you must be given a seven day cancellation notice. If you have agreed to have work done following a cold call and have any concerns contact Trading Standards on 08454 040506.
Coun Alan Litton, Executive Board member for environment services, said: “Don’t get caught out and find that the bargain isn’t quite what it seems. Genuine traders are being disadvantaged if they comply with the law and get a licence.
“The council’s enforcement team is working hard to cut environmental crime, illegal waste carriers can only fly-tip there waste as a genuine tip would not allow them to dispose of there waste.”
