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Asbestos roof tiles dumped at beauty spot

Gavin Le-Lievre Image shows woodland near Cinderford with an area to the side of the wood path cornered off with red and white tape. In the cornered off area, fly-tipping consisting on brown and black material can be seen in a mound. In the foreground of the image, two shadows can be seen as the picture is taken. Gavin Le-Lievre
The asbestos has been in the area since 10 December

A "large quantity" of asbestos has been dumped in a woodland popular with walkers.

The pile of roof tiles made of the toxic material was left in an area known as Sammie's Wood, near Cinderford in Gloucestershire.

The rubbish was left on 10 December, and Forestry England has urged anyone who saw a "transit-style tipper" vehicle on Speech House Road that morning to get in touch.

The government organisation said the recent weather conditions had made removing the waste "challenging". Specialist contractors are needed to dispose of it safely.

Gavin Le-Lievre Image shows a laminated sign at Sammie's Wood near Cinderford with a Forestry England sign in the right corner and the name at the top. The sign reads: 'Asbestos. Keep off. It will be removed as soon as possible. Thank you.' Behind the sign, woodland foliage can be seen. Red and white tape is also visible. Gavin Le-Lievre
Forestry England has asked anyone who may have seen the suspect vehicle to get in touch

Asbestos was used regularly in construction in the 20th Century before it was realised how dangerous it can be.

It was banned in the UK in 1999 because the fibres were linked to diseases including cancer.

A Forestry Commission spokesperson said: "We are aware of a large quantity of asbestos roof tile that was dumped along a forest track, just off the Speech House road near Cinderford, in an area of woodland known as Sammie's Wood."

They added specialist contractors would be needed to remove the rubbish and dispose of it safely.

"Fly tipping such as this takes much needed resource away from the important work we do to care for the forest," they said.

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