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Farmer's Plea: Mountainside Turned into Landfill
22 Jan
Summary
- Farmer's sheep graze on land marred by a visible five-mile trash river.
- Drone footage reveals garbage strewn across South Wales countryside.
- Clean-up costs could run into thousands of pounds for the farmer.
A farmer in Treorchy, South Wales, is distressed by a massive fly-tipping incident on her family's land on Bwlch Mountain. The dumped waste forms a "river of rubbish" visible for up to five miles, impacting grazing sheep and a personal memorial site. This has caused the farmer significant frustration and sleepless nights, with potential clean-up costs running into thousands of pounds.
Previous incidents on the mountain have required community and council efforts for removal. However, the scale of this latest dumping, particularly near a sheer cliff face, may necessitate professional intervention. The farmer has urged the local council to close the layby above the cliffs, a known dumping spot, to prevent recurrence.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council acknowledges the issue and has installed cameras and signs, threatening fines of at least £400 and criminal charges for offenders. Natural Resources Wales highlights fly-tipping as a serious crime harming the environment and costing communities dearly. They also note that many incidents involve unlicensed waste carriers, advising the public to verify waste removal services.
