On 22^nd February, Mendip District Council is legally required to remove the concrete blocks it placed in two locations several years ago along Berkley Lane to the north of Frome under a Public Space Protection Order. The closure of the road to vehicles under the current PSPO did reduce flytipping in the area considerably (although some continued) but this expires on 18th February and cannot be extended for legal reasons. MDC has issued a statement on its website here, and written a letter to residents in the area to explain the situation, which is below:

Some of the background to the PSPO is here. A petition has been started by local residents calling for Berkley Lane to remain closed.

I know MDC, Berkley Parish Council, Somerset County Council, Frome Town Council and local parish/town/district and county councillors are in ongoing discussions about this, and I’m encouraging and hoping to help them all to find a way of closing the road to vehicles again (potentially through a pedestrianisation order from MDC and a traffic regulation order from SCC) as soon as possible, to prevent the flytipping becoming much worse again and to improve the amenity of the area. I expect that is what most people want, including residents of Berkley parish and people in Frome who walk and cycle in the lanes.

A more intensive enforcement regime is also to be proposed at the next MDC Cabinet meeting on 1st March.

If you see any flytipping please report it for collection online here or call 0300 303 8588.

Please get in touch with any ideas, to the MDC portfolio holders in the letter above, or with me at cllr.boyden@mendip.gov.uk or Drew at cllr.gardner@mendip.gov.uk.

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