'Frustration' as fears raised of asbestos in dump

A group of residents are calling for action on waste which they claim has been left next to a Nottinghamshire river for four years.

The dump, which they suspect includes asbestos sheeting, was first discovered along Boundary Brook, between Stapleford and Trowell, in 2020.

A community-led flood action group has reported it to various agencies but says nothing has changed - and they fear it is a health and flood hazard.

The Environment Agency said it had been made aware of reports of asbestos and was "working to resolve the situation".

The community-led Stapleford and Trowell Boundary Brook Action Group was formed after flooding in the area in 2019.

The waste dump was discovered a year later following further flooding.

Jenny Baxter, 43, a member of the group, said: "It looked like it had either been thrown over people's fences or swept down the river from someone's garden."

She claimed the group had contacted Broxtowe Borough Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and the Environment Agency at the time.

But while "discussions" were had, nothing changed, she said.

Now as the winter months approach and residents expect "more flooding", Ms Baxter said the group wants to see the rubbish urgently removed.

Ms Baxter, who has lived in Trowell for 14 years, added: “There is a lot of rubbish out there, but we are unable to move it until [the suspected asbestos] is out of the way."

"It's really quite frustrating," she added. "We've been passed from pillar to post."

A spokesperson for Broxtowe Borough Council: "The council are aware of the matter and it is currently part of a multi-partnership operation."

In an email sent to flood action group, seen by the BBC, Nottinghamshire County Council said the river did not fall into the authority's remit.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "We fully understand the concerns of local residents about these issues and can reassure them that we are working to resolve the situation.

"We were made aware of the report of asbestos in the watercourse at the end of July and have assessed the situation for flood risk.

"At present it is not considered a flood issue, but we have written to the riparian landowner who has the responsibility of clearing the waste.

"We will keep monitoring the situation for flood risk and any potential environmental impacts and will reassess if conditions change.

"We would urge anyone who has concerns about blockages in watercourses to call our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60."

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