Woman fined heavily for illegal scheme found on the side of the road: 'No excuses allowed'

A resident of Downend in South Gloucestershire has received fines totaling 1,066 after admitting to illegally disposing of waste along a roadside.

Local authorities reported that in April 2025, several large black bags were discovered abandoned in Mangotsfield. Witnesses observed a woman placing the bags and then returning to a vehicle before driving away.

Inside the bags, inspectors found discarded fence materials and packaging labeled with the name Sajida Wadee, which, along with a clear photo of the cars registration number, led officials directly to her address.

Investigators later determined that she had attempted to drop the rubbish at a local recycling center earlier the same day but was turned away due to not having a scheduled time, after which she chose to leave the waste at the roadside instead.

Authorities emphasized that such actions pose environmental risks, including attracting vermin, spreading harmful substances into soil and groundwater, and contributing to plastic pollution.

Fly-tipping remains a widespread issue across the country, with over one million incidents documented in 20232024 and cleanup expenses rising into hundreds of millions of pounds for both government and private landowners.

There is absolutely no justification for abandoning waste and expecting the public to deal with it, stated South Gloucestershire Council representative Sean Rhodes, adding that the crime harms communities, threatens safety, and drains public resources.

Author: Aiden Foster