AN OUTRAGED Bournemouth man dumped seven bags of garden waste on the steps of Bournemouth Town Hall after being refused entry to Millhams tip.

Steve Campbell, 49, from Capstone Road, Charminster, was barred from the site after turning up in his Mitsubishi pick-up earlier this month.

Now the father-of-two has been charged with dropping litter and told to either pay a £50 fixed penalty or face court proceedings.

When Mr Campbell took his garden waste to Millhams he was informed he could not enter the site because he was not driving a car.

"I suggested parking outside and carrying the bags in but was told this was against health and safety regulations," he said. "The person at the gate was very apologetic and said the rules on vehicles entering had changed.

"A woman in the council's waste disposal services told me the council had decided to ban any type of commercial vehicle, even privately owned or hired, even if it could be proved it was only being used to dispose of a person's own household rubbish.

"I pointed out that, as a ratepayer for the past 16 years, the council had a legal duty to dispose of my household rubbish and told her I would deposit it at the town hall.

"I unloaded it and informed the lady at the reception desk of my name and address.

"She alerted security officers who told me I could not leave my rubbish there. I told them that, as far as I was concerned, the council had left me no alternative. I have little choice but to pay the fixed penalty charge but I intend to send the council a £50 bill to pay for my disposal costs.

"Something should be done about the council's ridiculous waste policies."

The borough's head of operations, cleansing and waste services Reg Hutton said: "Fly tipping will not be tolerated. This is an issue that the council takes very seriously.

"Consequently any member of the public seen to be fly tipping will be issued with a fine. If necessary, the council will pursue recovery through the courts.

"Any member of the public needing advice on how to dispose of their household and garden waste can contact the cleansing and waste team on 01202 451199 who will be happy to help."

First published: October 2