FLY-TIPPERS have been condemned after leaving huge piles of asbestos at a beauty spot.
Up to 30 heaps of building waste were dumped along a lane on the edge of Queen Elizabeth Country Park after offenders threw the rubbish from a moving lorry.
The offenders then dumped large piles of asbestos roof sheets in two gateways that lead to the park.
The fly-tipping – which is punishable by a five-year jail term – has angered walkers and park officials.
Tim Speller, who manages the park, said: ‘Someone has driven on the back road and kept moving, while someone has been on the back throwing stuff out as they were driving along. They kept moving so no-one could stop them.
‘It’s right along the road as far as the eye can see.
‘To dump asbestos in piles on the edge of a country park – the last thing you want is people messing round with it. On all levels, it’s terrible.’
The incident happened sometime overnight last Friday.
The affected roads are Limekiln Lane and New Barn Lane – leading from Buriton to Chalton – as well as two entrances to the park at Head Down and Chalky Walk.
In what appears to be an unrelated incident, a dead horse and a mound of rubbish was reported dumped in a lane between Rowlands Castle and Westbourne last week.
Mr Speller said the latest incident would be expensive to clear up. Park officials have been sifting through the waste and have found receipts from the midlands and north of England.
A birthday card saying ‘Ronnie Happy Birthday from Mum and Archie’ was also found.
The last time the park was affected by fly-tipping was two years ago when rubbish left in Halls Hill car park was traced back to Emsworth.
The perpetrator agreed to pay for the clear-up and the cost of a height restriction barrier at the car park.
A reward is being offered and anyone with information should call Queen Elizabeth Country Park on (023) 9259 5040.
‘Let’s hope there’s another chapter to this one,’ added Mr Speller.
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