A persistent fly-tipping blackspot on the A4500 near Earls Barton has been successfully shut down after a collaborative effort by North Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire Police, and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC).
The multi-agency initiative has transformed a site long plagued by illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour into a secure area, bringing relief to the local community.
The A4500 layby had been a highly problematic location for years, suffering from recurring incidents of fly-tipping and other unlawful activities. Council Waste and Highways teams joined forces with police and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone to tackle the issue at its root.
The solution involved permanently closing the layby to public access. A Traffic Regulation Order was implemented to change its official use, and the site was secured with locked gates and a soil bund – an earthen embankment designed to block vehicle access. The project was funded through a partnership between the OPFCC, North Northamptonshire Council, and a local private landowner.
Proactive enforcement had already been underway at the location, with the council deploying covert cameras in previous years. Throughout 2024 and 2025, this surveillance led to several offenders being caught and fined between £500 and £1,000 for fly-tipping and littering offences.
However, the physical barriers installed in late 2025 have proven to be the decisive measure. Since the gates and bund were put in place, there have been zero reports of new fly-tipping at the site. Signage has also been updated to inform the public of the new access restrictions for agricultural use only.
This project demonstrates a successful shift from reactive enforcement to proactive prevention. By combining targeted fines for offenders with a strategic, physical redesign of the space, the partnership has created a durable solution to a long-standing problem, enhancing local environmental quality and safety.
Cllr Ken Harrington, the council’s Executive Member for Assets, Waste and Environmental Services said: ‘Targeting vulnerable locations like this one is a key part of what our Waste team do, particularly when fly-tipping is having a negative impact on the community and the environment.
‘This is an excellent example of partnership working in practice. This location was a known fly-tipping spot, and officers have worked closely with partners, including the landowner to find a solution. Closing off this layby has helped prevent unlawful access, protected the land nearby and stopped fly-tipping and associated anti-social behaviour.’
Danielle Stone, the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner added: ‘Fly-tipping is an offence which blights our communities and ruins our environment.
‘We must work together to tackle it, and I am pleased that alongside our partners we have funded preventative measures which have reduced crime, removed fire hazards and have made the site safer.’
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