Tonnes of waste dumped under M53 for second time

Around 100 tonnes of processed rubbish have been dumped under a motorway bridge in Merseyside.

A local dog walker said he was "infuriated" the waste was still under the bridge two weeks after he reported seeing a lorry dumping it under the M53 motorway.

The area is close to the Bidston Moss nature reserve as well as the Junction One retail park in Wallasey.

The Environment Agency said it was investigating and "will take action".

Dog walker Alan Howgate said he spotted a lorry dumping the waste on 6 March and reported it to police and Wirral Council.

Two weeks on he said he was "infuriated" the "horrible and smelly" waste remained.

"I spotted an articulated wagon reversing into the spot where the last load had been dropped," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"The area actually is a service area for the tunnel," he said.

"Four mounds, at least five lorry loads of processed rubbish have been dumped.

"It's just rows of 10-15m long (33-49ft) and 3m (10ft) wide."

Mr Howgate, who does regular litter picks in the area, said the waste had been dumped on a culvert which runs into Bidston stream, which runs into the River Birket.

"There's lots of wildlife here," he said. "There is organic matter and plastics amongst it.

"It looks horrible and smells horrible.

"I'm angry. It infuriates me the fact that no one will do anything about it."

The Environment Agency confirmed it was investigating reports of a large amount of waste being dumped under the M53 motorway near Bidston.

"We will take action against anyone found to be illegally disposing of waste," a representative said.

It is the second time waste has been dumped at the site.

In September 2021, approximately nine truck loads of rubbish were left in the same area, prompting an investigation.

At the time Wirral Council described it as "a disgraceful and extreme example of fly-tipping on what appears to be an industrial scale at a very public location".

The Environment Agency successfully took enforcement action after that incident.

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