Two roads on the edge of Frome could become vehicle-free in a bid to prevent further incidents of fly-tipping.

Mendip District Council and Somerset County Council are jointly consultation on plans to pedestrianise Berkley Lane and Dark Lane, not far from the town's Commerce Park and the busy A361.

The two roads have been dubbed "the district's biggest fly-tipping hotspot", with repeated incidents being reported to the district council over the last few years.

Frome residents have four weeks to have their say on the proposals, with a decision being taken by the full council in late-September.

Mendip has seen a sharp rise in the number of fly-tipping incidents recorded since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with a rise of 170 per cent in the last three months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

In the first three months of 2021, 169 incidents of fly-tipping were recorded in Mendip – a rise of 42 per cent compared to the start of the pandemic.

Within this, the number of fly-tips involving household waste (such as black bin bags) rose by more than 150 per cent.

Councillor Heather Shearer, the district council's portfolio holder for community health and services, said: "This particular hotspot [in Frome] has cost taxpayers considerable amounts of money due to the vast quantities and frequency of fly-tipping clearances.

advertisement

"We have seen evidence that when these lanes are closed to vehicles, we can see a reduction in fly tipping of 90 per cent, and a reduction in cost of more than £50,000 annually at this location.

"Alongside this we see an improved community amenity for local residents to enjoy particularly by making walking, riding and cycling safer, and it protects the countryside from unsightly and damaging environmental crime."

The council attempted to tackle fly-tipping on Berkley Lane back in 2017, when concrete blocks were installed in two locations as part of a public space protection order (PSPO).

This order remained in place until February 2021, when the blocks were removed due to "legal challenges".

These latest proposals were put forward by a multi-agency group, including representatives from parish, town, district and county councils, the police, the Environment Agency and the fire service.

Councillor John Woodman, the county council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We are pleased to be working in partnership with the district council on this proposal.

"It will be excellent if we can reach a solution which counters these problems and provides active travel opportunities for the community.

"We'd urge people to please look at what's proposed and take part in the survey."

To take part in the consultation, visit www.mendip.gov.uk/survey by September 12. A final decision on the matter will be taken by Mendip's full council on September 27.