THOUGHTLESS fly-tippers have cost Test Valley Borough Council more than £150,000 over the last three years, new figures show.

Statistics released by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs reveal that the authority has spent around £40,000 per year clearing up rubbish dumped across the borough’s fields, roadsides and alley ways.

Figures also show that TVBC spent over £35,000 between 2014 and 2015 in an attempt to address fly-tipping, with officials shelling out just shy of £30,000 in warning letters alone.

However there has been positive news for the council, who have seen the number of incidents fall by over 200 when compared to the 2012-13 figures.

This has also led to a slight reduction in the cost of clearance, with the council spending £3,000 less this year than in 2013 and 2014.

Portfolio holder for environmental services, councillor Graham Stallard, said: “Due to the rural nature of Test Valley, the area is sadly targeted by fly-tippers who believe they can dump their rubbish unnoticed.

“We investigate all fly-tips and work closely with the police and the Environment Agency to track down offenders.

“A number of cases have gone to court and have resulted in successful prosecutions.

“To deter criminals, we undertake vehicle stop and search exercises across the borough in association with the police, HM Revenue and Customs and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

“We aim to remove any rubbish fly-tipped on land we are responsible for as soon as possible, to limit the negative impact on our residents and to deter criminals from dumping further rubbish in the same area. Where rubbish has been dumped on private land, we will work with the landowner to support them to remove the-fly tipped waste.

“Fly-tipping is illegal, dangerous and very expensive to clear up so it is important that we put a stop to it. If anyone has any information about any fly-tipping incidents then we would urge them to get in touch.”