Find local news in Kent

Home   Malling   News   Article

Stickens Lane, East Malling, blocked by fly-tipped tree trunk and foliage

14:00, 24 October 2019

updated: 11:36, 27 October 2019

The remains of a tree trunk and foliage have been dumped down a country lane.

Stickens Lane, East Malling, faces up to a week of closures after sawn pieces of tree trunk and branches blocked the road.

Stickens Lane, East Malling could be shut for up to seven days. Picture: @mallingmatters (20063032)
Stickens Lane, East Malling could be shut for up to seven days. Picture: @mallingmatters (20063032)

Kent County Council's Highways team has shut the lane between Mill Street and Busbridge Road.

Clearance could take up to seven days.

Cllr Michelle Tatton represents East Malling at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

She said: "This is the second case of flytipping at Stickens Lane within a week that has blocked the road, and there is still evidence of flytipping at Well Street which has not been fully cleared following a recent blockage there.

"Sadly our rural lanes do seem to be a target - we have seen this too many times before. It causes massive inconvenience to local residents not to mention being a safety hazard as the lanes are very narrow and unlit.

Cllr Michelle Tatton on a litter pick. Picture: Matthew Walker FM4696528 (5097293)
Cllr Michelle Tatton on a litter pick. Picture: Matthew Walker FM4696528 (5097293)

"This is very selfish behaviour by a minority of unscrupulous people who can’t be bothered to go through proper channels to dispose of waste material. Each clear up is at cost to the taxpayer and so we need to look at how we can curb this behaviour perhaps including the placement of cameras.

"Meanwhile I would urge residents who are having work carried out in their gardens or homes to ask to see their contractor’s Waste Carrier Licence. People need to check that their waste is being disposed of correctly.

"Regarding litter generally, we try to raise awareness locally though regular litter picks and community tidy-ups. We need to keep pressing the message that dropping litter and flytipping is not ok. There is nothing good about it. A clean environment is better for us all including our wildlife. People who think it’s alright to drop litter should take a look at themselves. Surely it’s not so difficult to do the right thing and dispose of litter and waste responsibly?"

Read more: All the latest news from Malling.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More