National Trust land fly-tippers throw in the kitchen sink (From Bucks Free Press)

National Trust land fly-tippers throw in the kitchen sink

8:40am Wednesday 11th January 2012 in Cookham By James Nadal

A couple of settees abandoned on Winter Hill were the unwanted Christmas gift shortly before the holiday period.

FLY-TIPPERS have thrown in almost everything, including a kitchen sink, as well as hundreds of tyres, on to National Trust grounds.

The charity has had to spend thousands of pounds recently removing discarded items including a whole kitchen in and around Cookham, it has revealed.

The trust today told the Bucks Free Press the extent of the problem on Cookham Commons and the surrounding area.

A couple of settees abandoned on Winter Hill were the unwanted Christmas gift shortly before the holiday period.

Visitors to the trust's land have been urged to get in touch with police if they see any suspicious activity.

Nigel Boden, Countryside Manager, Cliveden Property Group, said: “We had a number of incidents in November including in one night 200 tyres dumped at Winter Hill, Pinkneys Green etc.

“There were also over 50 tyres dumped at the old brick and tile works too.

“We work with the council on saving costs but it would have cost the National Trust as a charity over £3,000 per year to deal with the removal.

“This does not include the staff time taken to deal with this.”

He said anything from fridges to sofas are being cast off on the land.

“We have even had a kitchen sink as well as the rest of the kitchen,” he said.

“It is an ongoing problem for National Trust and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council too.

“Fly tippers are avoiding the cost of disposing of the waste themselves but it is National Trust members and council tax payers who foot the bill.

“That is why we work closely with council, police and Environment Agency staff.”

Mr Boden made a plea for the public's help.

“What we really would like is for people to be aware of the issue and to be vigilant regarding National Trust land and our car parks,” he said.

“If visitors do see any suspicious activity we ask that they pass onto the police any vehicle description and registration.

“Please use the non-emergency Thames Valley Police number (dial 101) and help stop these environmental criminals.”