A man has been charged in connection with a 27-tonne fly-tipping incident that saw waste piled 2 metres high in the middle of a busy road in Lichfield.
The man faces multiple charges including depositing waste, endangering road users, dangerous driving, breaching HGV drivers’ hours regulations, and obstructing the highway. If found guilty, he could face up to seven years in prison.
A company, based near Stafford, has also been charged with depositing the waste and obstructing the highway.
In the early hours of Monday 20 January, a huge pile of waste was illegally dumped on Watery Lane, Lichfield, completely blocking access for residents and businesses.
The fly-tip measured over 20 metres long, 2 metres high, and weighed more than 27 tonnes, Lichfield District Council said.
This was an appalling act of environmental crime.
As part of the investigation, environmental health officers raided a site in Staffordshire on 21 March 2025 and seized a lorry believed to have been used in the incident.
The man and the company are scheduled to appear at Cannock Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 1 July 2025.
Leader of Lichfield District Council, Councillor Doug Pullen, commented: “This was an appalling act of environmental crime. Local people woke up to find their only route to and from their homes completely blocked, and the cost to the taxpayer of removing and disposing of the waste was nearly £10,000.
“This case is about more than prosecution. It’s about protecting our environment, supporting law-abiding businesses, safeguarding local people – and sending a strong message that illegal dumping will not be tolerated.”
Lichfield MP Dave Robertson previously said prison sentences should be considered for the people responsible for the fly-tipping incident.
While speaking in Parliament, Robertson said the incident “posed a genuine risk to life” as public services were blocked from accessing a housing development and 20 businesses were forced to close for two days.
