Fly-tippers to be fined five times more than before

Fly-tippers in a town are facing a big jump in fines - from £1,000 to £5,000.

Swindon Borough Council says it wants to "send a very clear message" to people who dump things like mattresses, furniture and household waste around the town.

Kevin Parry, cabinet member for recycling and streetscene, said: "Fly-tipping is not a minor inconvenience. It blights neighbourhoods, damages our environment and leaves ordinary taxpayers footing the bill to clear up other people's mess."

However, there have been concerns raised over whether the increased fines will be enough to put potential fly-tippers off, with some campaigners saying making access to household waste sites easier might also help.

There have been about 2,000 reports of fly-tipping across the borough since January 2026.

The borough council said it costs £200,000 each year to collect the waste and take enforcement action.

Parry added: "We will continue to use every enforcement tool available to us to keep Swindon's streets, parks and public spaces clean."

Toni Osborne is a volunteer with Keep Swindon Tidy, a group which holds litter-picks at places like the town centre and the Oasis.

She said the increase in fine punishment might not lead to a reduction in dumped goods across Swindon.

"I do think better access to the tip could improve and help decrease fly-tipping," she said.

"Also, better support for residents who don't drive or own a car and have affordable prices for collection of larger items."

Currently, it costs £44 for Swindon Borough Council to pick up one mattress or up to three items.

Elsewhere in Swindon, discussions about a pilot 'community skip' scheme are under way.

It forms part of a proposal brought to Swindon Borough Council by Labour councillor Princia Fernandes.

The skips would be for residents and household waste only and would exclude commercial waste and unsuitable or hazardous materials.

Fernandes's proposal also calls for intervention including surveillance, improved signage, lighting, changes to waste collection arrangements and physical prevention measures.

Wiltshire Council has already introduced £5,000 fines.

Cllr Martin Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: "These tougher penalties have not been in place for long, but we have already issued and recovered a £2,500 fixed penalty notice under the new regime."

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