Longleat rapped after 'dangerous' materials used for bridleway repairs (From This Is Wiltshire)

Longleat rapped after 'dangerous' materials used for bridleway repairs

10:10am Monday 19th October 2009

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Forestry managers at Longleat near Warminster have been told to remove potentially dangerous waste material, including steel reinforcing rods and plastic, from a bridleway they are repairing.

The Environment Agency has told Longleat to remove the illegal material from the public right of way, after being alerted by an anonymous tip-off.

Reinforced steel rods and plastic damp proofing material were among the items found among rubble being used to repair Bridleway 49, off Cannimore Way, near Center Parcs.

The work, being carried out by Dave Lucey Ltd of Tytherington, Frome, has been taking place over the past three months.

Mountain biker Rupert Garcia, 49, from Warminster, raised concerns about the material being used for repairs about two months ago, but he said no action was taken. He took photos of the material he was most concerned about.

He said: “Obviously I am happy they have to take action. It is a victory for the people who want to safeguard the natural resources that this area has to offer and a blow to the private companies who think they can get away with polluting them.

“Basically they were dumping rubbish and covering it up with dirt.

“It makes a hazard for horse riders, bike riders and the general public who want to use the path. It’s nothing short of an outrage against the environment.”

Longleat has permission from the Environment Agency to use building rubble and other similar waste material to resurface and repair tracks around the estate, but plastics and metal are among the items not permitted.

Mike Dunning, of the Environment Agency, said: “It became clear that after we looked at the site, the material used was inappropriate.

“They (Longleat) were going to contact the waste carrier who brought it there in the first place.”

Mr Dunning said the Agency would not be prosecuting if the material was cleared away quickly and confirmed they would be checking in the future to ensure the work has taken place.

Longleat said the waste material being used for the repair work had been recycled from building sites around the area.

They said the contractor, Dave Lucey Ltd, would still be used and steps had been taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

A director of groundwork firm Dave Lucey Ltd said work had started to remove the offending material, but he declined to comment further.

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