A large amount of asbestos sheeting has been dumped at a West Cumbrian beauty spot.
The sheets were found near Siddick Ponds in Workington this morning and were believed to have been fly-tipped overnight on Friday.
Siddick Ponds is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve and one of Cumbria’s most important bird sites.
The combination of extensive reedbed and two large ponds – one freshwater, the other brackish, a mix of fresh and saltwater, – contributes to the variety of species using the site and is unique in Cumbria.
Asbestos is a hazardous substance and should never be disposed of in a general waste bin.
Small amounts of asbestos can be taken to household recycling centres in Cumbria. The maximum that will be accepted on any day is four sheets, or equivalent, with a maximum of three visits to centres that are approved to take them.
If people need to dispose of more than a few sheets of asbestos or the lengths of asbestos are longer than 6ft, they are advised to contact a specialist contractor who is a licensed waste carrier.
