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A disturbing sight has emerged on Bwlch Mountain in Treorchy, where a large volume of illegally dumped waste has cascaded down the hillside, leaving a local farmer deeply upset. Katie Davies, whose family has managed the land for nearly a century, describes the situation as “disgusting” and worries about its potential impact on her sheep grazing there. She also estimates that the cleanup efforts may cost thousands of pounds.
Drone footage captured by travel blogger Nathan Dixon reveals the staggering extent of the refuse, which he says is visible from a distance of three to five miles and “sticks out like a sore thumb.” Rhondda Cynon Taf council emphasized that it remains committed to prosecuting those responsible for fly-tipping, while Natural Resources Wales reiterated that fly-tipping is a serious crime with harmful environmental consequences.
Davies runs a small family business, Nantymoel Farm, producing Welsh beef and lamb. She admitted the ongoing problem keeps her awake at night. Although there have been previous instances of fly-tipping on the land, the scale of this deposit is much larger and will likely require specialist teams to safely remove the waste from the steep slopes. In past clean-ups, council efforts combined with volunteer assistance helped get rid of rubbish, but this latest incident has left Davies “extremely frustrated and upset.”
The waste not only mars the picturesque mountain landscape but also poses a threat to local wildlife, including sheep and nesting birds. Davies has called on the council to consider closing the nearby lay-by from which the waste appears to have been dumped. The local authority has stated its aim to balance protecting the environment from such vandalism with ensuring access for the many responsible visitors who enjoy the area. Nathan Dixon, who grew up nearby and recently scattered his father’s ashes on the mountain, expressed sadness over the damage to a place deeply personal to him, saying, “That’s my father’s final resting place. He walked those mountains all of his life. It’s where he always wanted to be.”
In response, Rhondda Cynon Taf council noted that covert cameras and warning signs have been put in place, with plans to deploy new technology to catch offenders in the act. The council condemned the actions of those who spoil the renowned natural beauty of Bwlch Mountain and stressed that anyone caught fly-tipping faces a minimum fine of £400 and possible criminal charges. It also reminded residents that many of the dumped items could be taken to council recycling centers or collected through kerbside services at no additional charge.
Natural Resources Wales highlighted the broader implications of fly-tipping, describing it as a crime that damages the environment, threatens wildlife, and disrupts communities, all while generating costly clean-up operations. It pointed out that over 70% of fly-tipping incidents in Wales involve household waste and warned that people risk penalties if they use unlicensed waste carriers who improperly dispose of rubbish. Their advice is clear: “If you’re paying someone to remove your waste, you must check that they are a registered waste carrier.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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