Fly-tippers have twice blocked an emergency access to the motorway near Exeter, dumping rubble, furniture, kids’ toys and a central heating tank, leaving it unusable amid a crash or major incident.
National Highways says a raft of rubbish was fly-tipped on two separate occasions, inside the M5 emergency access, near Broadclyst, in East Devon.
The dumped rubbish caused the emergency access route to be ‘unusable’ for police or National Highways, meaning traffic trapped between the junctions 28 (Cullompton) and 29 (Honiton, Exeter Airport) could not be diverted away from the motorway onto the B3181 during a crash or major incident.
The emergency turning point at Little Copse is accessed through a police viewing platform on the southbound carriageway, opening on to the B3181 Cullompton to Broadclyst road.
The dumped rubbish is thought to have come from a house clearance.
Photo: National Highways.
The clean-up cost more than £4,500 to remove the piles of rubbish, which included an oil central heating tank, oil drum, asbestos sheeting, a sofa and other furniture, kids’ bikes and toys, piles of wood and rubble.
Emma Bazeley, National Highways maintenance service manager for the South West, said: “The items look like they’ve come from a house clearance and anyone who’s paid a company to dispose of their rubbish appropriately may well recognise them.
“If anyone does recognise the items, they can get in touch with us and we can notify the relevant authorities. It’s totally irresponsible to do this, they’ve not only put ours and police operations at risk but it can pose a risk to wildlife and the environment and it’s costly to remove.”
She added: “Clearing litter from our roads costs the taxpayer millions of pounds a year, and it’s a cost local authorities can ill afford.”
Traffic trapped between the junctions 28 (Cullompton) and 29 (Honiton, Exeter Airport) could not be diverted away from the motorway onto the B3181 during a crash or major incident.
Photo: National Highways.
National Highways and Mid Devon District Council are keen to trace the fly-tippers and are appealing for information to trace the culprits.
National Highways confirmed its officers and and police were left unable to use the emergency access road after the blockage was discovered,
A spokesperson said: “In the meantime the company is securely locking the second access gate, has pruned back and cleared vegetation obscuring views, and liaised with the local authority to clear the debris.”
Pictured here is the police viewing platform and turning point next to the southbound carriageway of the M5, between Cullompton and the junctions for Honiton and Exeter.
Photo: National Highways.
Anyone with information about the dumped rubbish is urged to contact Mid Devon District Council or National Highways.
Councillor Josh Wright, at Mid Devon District Council, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating to see fly-tipping on this scale, particularly somewhere so important.
“As well as harming the environment, it’s costly to clear up and has caused disruption to an emergency access route which could have serious consequences if access is needed during an incident.
“Our teams are working with partners to get the site cleared as quickly and safely as possible. We’d ask anyone with information to come forward and remind people to always check anyone taking away waste is licensed to dispose of it properly.”
- Report what you know to the Mid Devon District Council on 01884 255255.
