2,393.27 GBP in fines and costs could have been avoided if company had registered as a waste carrier.

Today, 18 June, Brampton Contractors Limited of Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, pleaded guilty at Worcester Magistrates’ Court to one charge relating to carrying waste illegally.

For the Environment Agency, Romilly Edge told the court that any person who carries controlled waste as part of their business or for profit must register as a waste carrier, at a cost  of 149 GBP for 3 years (149 GBP at time of offence, 152 GBP from April 2009).

On 17 June 2008, Police Officers from West Mercia Constabulary were carrying out a mobile patrol on the A44 at Spetchley, Worcestershire. Officers spotted a vehicle carrying waste and builder’s debris, including old kitchen cabinets. The passenger of the vehicle, Damien Rourke, admitted that he was carrying waste from work undertaken by Brampton Contractors Ltd. Mr Rourke also confirmed he was the director of the company, which was not a registered waste carrier.

Speaking after the case Peter Yeomans, an Environment Agency Enforcement Officer involved in the investigation said: “This fine could have been easily avoided if the company had made an application to become a registered waste carrier.  The Agency allowed the company 10 days in which to make an application.  The company failed to make an application within the time period allowed or any time thereafter and have paid a hefty penalty.

He continued: “The Agency are working closely in partnership with the Police to check that waste carriers are registered and ensure waste is disposed of in a correct manner to prevent flytipping and protect the environment.”

Anyone in doubt as to whether their company needs to be registered as a waste carrier should seek advice from the Environment Agency by telephoning 08708 506506.

In mitigation the court heard from Mr Brooks, representing the company, that they did not expect to carry controlled waste again and so did not think that it was worthwhile applying to hold a Certificate of Registration to carry waste.

The waste was taken to a skip parked at Mr Rourke’s home at Pinvin, as he considered there was no where to place a skip at the construction site at Worcester.  The waste was transferred to a skip hired from a reputable company and Mr Rourke had the invoice to show its disposal.
 
The charge was brought by the Environment Agency under Section 1 of the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989.
 
Brampton Contractors Limited was fined 1,000 GBP and ordered to pay costs of 1,378.27 GBP, along with a 15 GBP victim surcharge.