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Fly-tipping prevented after lay-by closed

Katy Prickett
News imageNorth Northamptonshire Council A pile of fly-tipped rubbish spread across the edge of a verge. There are boxes, rolls of foam, a mattress, building waste and black plastic bags of waste. Behind it are trees and nettles. North Northamptonshire Council
The A4500 lay-by at Earls Barton was a known fly-tipping spot

Fly-tipping has been prevented at a "problematic location" after gates and a soil bund were installed, a council has said.

North Northamptonshire Council said the A4500 lay-by at Earls Barton, between Northampton and Wellingborough, experienced years of fly-tipping and crime.

Blocking off the lay-by has "helped prevent unlawful access", according to Ken Harrington, executive member for assets, waste and environmental services.

It was a joint project with the county's police force and the landowner. The council said there had been no fly-tipping incidents since installation late last year.

"This location was a known fly-tipping spot, and officers have worked closely with partners, including the landowner to find a solution," he added.

News imageNorth Northamptonshire Council A lay-by with a red and white gate across it at either end. On the left is a verge and beyond it a road. On the right is a verge, hedge and trees. North Northamptonshire Council
Gates and a bund have now been installed to prevent access

Previously the council deployed covert cameras and several offenders were caught and fined between £500 and £1,000 for fly-tipping offences in 2024 and 2025.

The project was funded by the office of the police, fire and crime commissioner, the council and the landowner.

It involved a change of use for the lay-by, with a Traffic Regulation Order now in place, additional signage and gates to allow access to agricultural land.

News imageNorth Northamptonshire Council A back view of three council workers in hi-vis orange and yellow clothing. They are standing on the verge of a lay-by, with the road on the left. On the right is a lay-by. A flat bed council van is in the lay-by in the middle and on the right is the back of another flatbed van with netting and building equipment. North Northamptonshire Council
The council said, as a result, there have been no further fly-tipping incidents

Danielle Stone, the Northamptonshire's police, fire and crime commissioner, said fly-tipping "blights our communities and ruins our environment".

"I am pleased that alongside our partners we have funded preventative measures which have reduced crime, removed fire hazards and have made the site safer," she said.

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