Kent County Council has been severely criticised after it took four weeks to clear hazardous fly-tipped waste that was blocking a country lane.

A huge pile of asbestos was dumped in Yaugher Lane, Hartlip, on June 25, and police were called because the mound was so big the road had to be closed.

But despite frequent calls from residents, the rubbish remained where it had been left until Saturday when it was finally taken away.

Kirstie Brown, of Alpaca Farm in Yaugher Lane, said KCC’s response had been laughable.

“We were coming back from an event and my husband had to reverse with a horse box back up the lane.

“It was clearly asbestos and we were worried for our animals and for us, as it was 50 yards from our front door.

“I phoned the police on 101 and they arranged for it to be blocked off and alerted the council, and so did I.”

Repeated calls were made over the following days and Mrs Brown, who has run the farm with husband Andy for 10 years, was told KCC was waiting for quotes from specialist contractors.

Meanwhile, some motorists were ignoring “road closed” signs and driving through, creating dust as they drove over the asbestos.

After two weeks, Mrs Brown was informed a company had been employed to do the work but then had pulled out, saying the waste was “too hazardous”.

She has since emailed KCC to complain, complete with pictures, but as of yesterday (Tuesday) she was yet to receive a response.

“It’s laughable,” she added.

“We thought it had to be moved within seven days. When they did move it, it was a man in shorts with a grab lorry at 7.30am, clearly not an asbestos specialist.

“They then sent a specialist to vacuum up what was left.”

Fly-tipping should be reported to Swale council and a spokesman for the authority confirmed it had been told of the waste on June 29 and was passed on to KCC the next day.

A KCC spokesman confirmed the waste had been cleared but could not provide an explanation for why it had taken so long before the News Extra went to print.