Appeal after huge piles of rubbish illegally dumped by lorries in Ayrshire

Piles of rubbish have been illegally dumped by lorries in East Ayrshire, prompting a call for information.

The large waste deposits were reported to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in late December at an industrial estate in Kilmarnock and a business park in Lugar.

The environmental agency said the waste appears to have been dumped by white-sided lorries and that it would have a serious impact on the environment, communities and businesses in the area.

The first site was discovered near Dundonald Road on the Moorfield Industrial Estate in Kilmarnock. SEPA believes the rubbish was dumped between December 22 and 29.

The second site was discovered at the IMEX Business Park, locally known as Lugar Works, on December 30.

The vehicles believed to be involved are thought to have been travelling through Muirkirk to Lugar between 4pm and 6pm on that date.

“Not only does waste crime have a serious impact on the environment, communities and legitimate businesses, but it also costs taxpayers tens of millions of pounds a year for clean-ups, and in avoided tax and lost revenue,” Kirsty McHarg, SEPA’s southwest Scotland unit manager, said.

“From the reports received, it seems this dumping has been done by white-sided lorries.

“We believe those responsible travelled through both locations and hope this appeal may jog memories, or that people with dashcam footage or with access to CCTV in these locations might have spotted something that might help our investigation.

“Additionally, we’re asking members of the public to continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to us.

“This could be unusual vehicle movement or activity at unused sites. Landowners should also be alert to the risk of their land or premises being used for illegal waste deposits.”

SEPA has asked anyone with information about the vehicles and illegal waste deposits to report any suspected illegal waste disposal activity.

Members of the public can contact SEPA in confidence at www.sepa.org.uk/report  or by calling 0800 80 70 60.