FLY-TIPPING incidents have provoked residents to take action by cleaning up the countryside.

Fly-tipping on Salisbury Plain costs taxpayers more than £29,000 each year, with over 200 cases reported in the area over the past 12 months according to Landmarc Support Services, which manages the area on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

Tidworth resident Jason Rosato took action to clean up an area of the Bourne River after noticing how much commercial waste was dumped, threatening the local environment.

Jason rallied together a group of men from Tidworth and together they gave their time to clean up a regular fly tipping spot in Elden Road.

He said: “The river itself was heavily polluted, and we decided to muck in and subsequently dragged out a washing machine, an oven, three tyres, two car batteries, fuse boards, a double bed and four big bags full of rubbish, amongst other waste.

“Just in that area alone you could see there was four or five incidents of fly-tipping.

“I am passionate about my local environment and care for it dearly, and to be treated like this for simply trying to do something good in the community is a kick in the teeth to be honest.”

The 33-year-old resident did praise the efforts of mayor of Tidworth, Councillor Mark Connolly for his response.

Cllr Connolly also agrees that fly tipping is a huge problem locally, which he fears will only be made worse with the proposed closure of a recycling centre in an effort to deliver savings of around £100,000 per year.

He sad: “Fly-tipping is becoming a real problem on Salisbury Plain and is spoiling this beautiful natural habitat.

“The possible closure of Everleigh Household Recycling Centre will only make things worse.

“I urge the public to respond to the public consultation and oppose the closure plans and to use the facility more.”

The public consultation over the proposed closure can be accessed online at wiltshire.objective.co.uk/portal/waste_and_recycling/proposed_closure_of_everleigh_household_recycling_centre?tab=info.