Cost of clearing 18 tonnes of waste from Bridgwater park

The restoration of the fouled beauty spot in Wembdon is thought to be one of the most expensive clean-up operations Bridgwater Town Council has ever done.

Now MP Sir Ashley Fox has weighed in, labelling the mounds of dumped rubbish "completely unacceptable", calling for speedier action by local authorities and dedicated traveller sites.

An unauthorised group of caravans and other vehicles was first reported at Whitegates beauty spot in Wembdon on August 4, on land owned by Somerset Council and maintained by Bridgwater Town Council.

After the occupants left the site on Saturday August 15, council workers and contractors spent several days restoring the area.

Around 18 tonnes of waste, including household rubbish, abandoned items and fly-tipped materials, were removed from the site following the group's departure.

Following a detailed assessment of the clean-up operation, the estimated total cost to the Council is approximately £8,500.

This includes contractor fees, waste disposal charges and Council labour.

Mounds of rubbish several metres high were left at the popular dog walking spot. (Image: Supplied)

The Council was forced to use a grab lorry to help move mounds of waste, and a specialist contractor to remove and dispose of human waste on the site.

Bridgwater Town Council said it had been reported that access to the field was gained after a fence post was cut, believed to have been done using a chainsaw.

To help prevent unauthorised encampments in the future, the council has now installed new concrete fence posts and additional concrete blocks at key access points.

Other clean-up costs include specialist waste disposal costs for POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) waste such as upholstered sofas, treated timber and other materials requiring specialist handling and disposal.

Bridgwater Town Council told the Bridgwater Mercury: “The site contained an exceptionally large volume of waste, including bulky items, construction materials, treated wood, POPs waste and human waste, all of which required specialist removal and disposal.

“In terms of tonnage removed and the complexity of the clean-up operation, this is believed to be the largest such clearance exercise the Council has undertaken following a traveller eviction.”

“While the Council does not keep a formal record comparing historic encampment clean-up costs, Bridgwater Town Council believe this is likely to be one of the most expensive clear-up operations following an unauthorised encampment mainly due to the significant volume of waste removed from the site and the specialist disposal requirements associated with much of the material left behind.”

The Town Council have paid for new concrete blocks to block entry to the site, after a chainsaw was allegedly used to cut the fence post to gain entry. (Image: Bridgwater Town Council)

Writing on social media, Ashley Fox MP said: “To leave 18 tonnes of rubbish at this local beauty spot is completely unacceptable, and I want to thank Bridgwater Town Council staff for the work they have done clearing the site and restoring it for local residents.

“When illegal encampments are established, the police and local authorities need to act quickly and robustly to move people on, and those responsible for damage or dumping waste should face the consequences.”

The MP also called for dedicated traveller sites in Somerset to prevent future unlawful encampments.