Guide to this Site
Types of Problem
Problems prior to October 2003
Problems Oct. 2003
Problems Nov. 2003
Problems Jan, Feb, March 2004
Problems April, May, June 2004
Problems July 2004 to March 2005
Problems April to September 2005
Features of Communigate
Wish List
Problems since Sept 05
Message Board
Guestbook
Mail Form
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Problem categories: An Illustrated Guide
This page contains illustrations of the types of litter and dumping problem encountered, with references to examples on the "Problems" pages. |
Dumping of Garden Waste
 One of the commonest and most difficult problems is the dumping of garden waste, quite often near to the dumpers’ own back fences. This accumulates over the years to form high banks of mixed waste. A lot of the waste may be biodegradable, but it also includes rubble, plastic and D.I.Y. materials. If it publicly accessible, for example from a pathway passing to the rear of the garden, it attracts further litter and dumping.
See e.g. the Problem Page for 17th March 2003: Garden Refuse etc. nr Varney Road, Warners End.
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Large (Bulky and/or Heavy) dumped Items.
 Sometimes a dumped item or collection of items is too large or heavy for a volunteer to pick up. The only recourse is to contact Dacorum Council, informing them as accurately as possible as to the location.
Ideally, they would respond and clear the item within a week.
See e.g the Problem Page for 15th October 2003: Gas Cylinder near Sidford Close, Warners End.
Please use the Message Board Page (reading the "Welcome" topic first) to record and monitor such problems.
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Dog Fouling
Back in 1997, a member of the DEF Volunteer Litter Warden Scheme in Berkhamsted wrote on a recurring theme, which he had noticed increasingly on his litter-picking round - the fouling of pavements by dogs.
"This is a most unpleasant business - walking along the street should not be a hazardous enterprise necessitating a constant look-out for canine messes! I have to admit that I draw the line at cleaning the messes up. Can you or any readers of the "Litterary Times" make any suggestions as to what can be done? Stickers threatening offending owners with large fines seem to have no effect as no attempt is made at enforcement of the relevant law. (I have never heard of anyone being actually fined for this offence). Nor have I been able to expostulate myself with the owners, as the nuisance seems to take place late in the evening when I don't go out - I'm pretty sure some owners are too lazy to walk their dogs and supervise them, and simply let them out to wander about on their own, with the inevitable consequences. I know this isn't a "Litterary" matter, strictly speaking, but I'd be very glad to receive comments nevertheless."
I was disappointed to learn that Dacorum's new (at the time)Dog Warden was not primarily concerned with fouling offences, only with "genuine strays" (a minority, though they too, presumably, foul pavements etc. However, I had recently asked the Council's Senior Environmental Health Officer what plans the Council currently had for addressing this problem, and present his reply below. Note the reference to the possibility of "on the spot" fines.)
"The Council's Health Committee is to consult widely on a single new "Control Order", with a view to imposing a requirement on dog walkers to clear up after their dogs on all "open land" in Dacorum. This will replace the existing Bylaw, which only controls fouling on footpaths and adjacent grass verges.
Unless the Council is persuaded by any representations not to go ahead with the Order, it is likely to be in place by mid-Autumn. It will cover all land in Dacorum except:
a. Carriageways with a speed limit of more than 40 mph, and their verges.
b. Land used for agriculture or woodlands.
c. Land which is predominantly marshland, moor and heath.
d. Rural Common Land.
The Council's approach to enforcement will be "persuasive" rather than "oppressive". Where there is clear evidence of disregard, offenders will be warned, but in the event of continued breaches there will be the possibility of a £25 "on the spot" fine, as well as prosecution through the courts.
Wide publicity will accompany the introduction of the controls. Progress will be reported to you in the Autumn."
The Byelaw was introduced in January 1998. Please post any observations on its effectiveness on the Message Board under the topic.
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New Litter Bins
During the past few years there have been a number of reports regarding new and replacement litter bins, some in locations suggested by Litter Volunteers, where they have made a contribution towards litter prevention. Bourne End acquired four new bins, with more promised. Stoneycroft, Warners End, after a problem period during the shopping centre improvements when several bins were missing, was given three new ones, and there is one just across Northridge Way, at the start of the alleyway to Gravel Path, at a spot suggested by Gruff Edwards. Phil Pennington of the Boxmoor Trust reported at least two new bins on Boxmoor, thanks to his suggestion to Cupid Green. So it can be done!
Please let us know of your successes or failures in this regard via the Message Board.
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Newspaper Dumping
To many of you, the sight of a carelessly discarded newspaper, its sheets being blown about over a large area of grass or roadway, will be a familiar one. What a dreadful sight just one newspaper can make! And what about whole sheaves of papers dumped in some out-of-the way corner? Clearly the deliverer has not been doing what he or she has been paid for. The publishers claim, however, that the free newspapers are marked in a way which identifies the delivery round, and that they will investigate and take action to prevent the practice if sent a sample paper, with details of where and when it was found. (Their address is usually printed on the first inside page of the paper.) See for example the problem reported in November '03, and the reply from the Gazette, stating:
"Apologies about the dumping but it is a problem that's difficult to solve.
If residents spot dumped copies of the HeraldExpress, the number to contact to have them removed is 01296 318374.
If you have any problems with that number, call our Hemel Hempstead offices on 01442 2213211 and we will pass the details on.
We will try to track down the paper boys/girls and make sure it doesn't happen again."
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Not-so new Dump on the Block
| Some blocks of flats or garages have a habit of becoming dumping grounds for large domestic or motoring items. Local residents may or may not have requested their removal, but when a dump has been there more than a week, anyone concerned with the apperance of the area can and should do their best to prevail upon the Council to get it moved. Some items will in time become dispersed by vandals, thus increasing the eventual task of clearing up. See the example details under Nov. '03. |  |
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Not quite in my Backyard
| Some properties seem prone to attracting more than their fair share of discarded items, often just outside a gate, doorway or fence bordering the public open space where the dumping has occurred. This example is on the green space between a house in Northridge Way and the electricity substation. |  |
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Glass! Keep a sharp eye out
All dumping is a criminal act, but the dumping of dangerous broken glass is a particularly heinous one, especially if it is sheet glass as in this example to the rear of a property in Ridge Lea.
Broken glass should be treated as a priority by the Council.
(see February 05 Problems page, and related Messages to see how quickly the Council in fact dealt with this example.)
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Have the binmen been?
Communal domestic bin areas often become general dumping grounds. The binmen will take closed black plastic waste bags only, and leave the rest.
The bin area beneath the extrernal stairway to the flats at top of Northridge Park is in a prime example.
See related story (February '05).
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