Fly-tippers dumped a mountain of waste on land close to a canal – opposite a JCB warehouse where the diggers are made.
The rubbish was discovered by the entrance of the Harecastle Tunnel on the Trent and Mersey Canal at Goldenhill.
It is opposite the JCB ‘world logistics’ warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent where JCB diggers are assembled.
The rubbish was found by the entrance of the Harecastle Tunnel on the Trent and Mersey Canal at Goldenhill, in Stoke-on-Trent
The mound of rubbish the waste was dumped lies opposite the JCB ‘world logistics’ base
Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the Environment Agency and Staffordshire Police are now working together to try and track down the culprit.
However responsibility for clearing the mess lies with the landowner. It is understood the Lowlands Road site is privately owned.
The latest fly-tipping incident comes months after 600 tonnes of plastic and paper was abandoned at the Old Colour Works, Biddulph, and mounds of toilet paper, plastic bags and general household waste were discovered in Audley.
Councillor Anthony Munday, cabinet member for greener city, development and leisure condemned those responsible.
He said: ‘The mass dumping of industrial waste is a problem being experienced across the country but thankfully we have had very little of anything on this scale in Stoke-on-Trent.
‘The waste has been dumped on privately-owned land and we are supporting the Environment Agency with their investigation to track down who is responsible and hold them to account.
‘We know that our residents feel passionately about fly-tipping and the detrimental impact it has on communities, which is why we continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to all incidents.’
Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the Environment Agency and Staffordshire Police are now working together to try and track down the culprit who dumped the rubbish
The JCB ‘world logistics’ base, where the diggers are made, is opposite the mound of rubbish
Staffordshire Police is helping with the investigation as it is not clear how the site was accessed.
A spokesman said: ‘We would urge anyone with information on who is responsible for the fly-tipping to contact us on 101.’
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: ‘We are investigating illegal waste dumped at a site near Chatterley Road.
‘The investigation is progressing but we are unable to give any indication of when this may be concluded. Timescales vary in every investigation and we’re unable to release additional information, as this may jeopardise any potential future legal aspects of this investigation.
‘Alongside this we are considering our enforcement response but are also unable to give any further details at this stage. As soon as we are in a position to release more information we will do so.’