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Abbots Hill in Ospringe closed after abestos dumped in road

Frustrated motorists are ignoring ‘road closed’ signs after a huge pile of asbestos was dumped by mindless louts.

Abbots Hill in Ospringe, near Faversham, has been shut for almost two months due to gas works and the road was supposed to reopen last week.

But a massive amount of waste was dumped there last Monday, which has still not been cleared.

Meanwhile, asbestos was also dumped in Ridham Dock Road in Iwade on Tuesday – however, it is not known if the two incidents are linked.

Wendy Pain, who has lived in Abbots Hill for about 30 years, says her son heard a loud noise shortly before 5.30am last Monday.

He thought it had been ‘road closed’ signs and barriers being removed by SGN following seven weeks of gas works, or that a frustrated motorist had driven through them.

But he soon found something blocking the road.

Wendy Pain, 78, has lived in Abbots Hill, Ospringe, for 30 years
Wendy Pain, 78, has lived in Abbots Hill, Ospringe, for 30 years

“It is unrepeatable,” the 78-year-old said. “I know how dangerous asbestos is.

“The lads who came to remove the barriers put on breathing apparatus.

“The council doesn’t help as it’s not easy to get rid of stuff.

“There is woodland nearby where there is always stuff left there.”

Abbots Hill in Ospringe was shut on February 27 by SGN for gas works.

Asbestos has been dumped in Abbots Hill, Ospringe
Asbestos has been dumped in Abbots Hill, Ospringe

The road was supposed to reopen last Monday after being closed for seven weeks.

Workers had arrived to remove barriers and signs after work was completed but discovered the pile of rubbish.

The road has remained closed since then.

Mrs Pain added: “It must’ve been a big lorry.

“There are at least a couple of tons there because asbestos is heavy stuff.

Mrs Pain's fence was damaged by drivers trying to avoid the barriers in Abbots Hill, Ospringe
Mrs Pain's fence was damaged by drivers trying to avoid the barriers in Abbots Hill, Ospringe

“It is annoying because everyone knows asbestos is dangerous and you would think someone, somewhere would take responsibility for it.”

She says drivers have been ignoring the ‘road closed’ signs which neighbour her home and have mounted the pavement to get past the dangerous asbestos.

One careless driver has damaged her fence.

She says her son came out onto Abbot Hill four times on Monday night alone to fix the barriers after drivers removed them so they could pass.

And he has been forced to come out every night since then.

Abbots Hill in Ospringe is closed
Abbots Hill in Ospringe is closed

Mrs Pain said: “At the bottom of the hill, it says the road is closed but they are just ignoring it.

“We have to come up here as we have the right to access.

“But if you’re going to Painters Forstal, you have to go all the way round. It is inconvenient but it’s tough - it is inconvenient for everyone.

“I don’t understand the mentality of someone who would do it. Fly-tipping is bad enough but to do something as dangerous as that.”

Meanwhile, asbtesos was dumped in Ridham Dock Road, Iwade on Tuesday night.

Asbestos was dumped in Ridham Dock Road, Iwade. Picture: Swale Borough Council
Asbestos was dumped in Ridham Dock Road, Iwade. Picture: Swale Borough Council

Swale Borough Council says it is “disgusted” by the fly-tipping in a post shared on Facebook.

“Not only is this illegal, but dumping this volume of hazardous material is extremely dangerous and will take extra time and money to have cleared and disposed of by specialists,” it reads.

“We’re investigating the fly-tipping and have already ruled out the travellers who had previously been on the site.

“If you have any information, or spotted a vehicle that may have been involved in this fly-tip, please get in touch. Information such as a vehicle description or a number plate could be the information we need to prosecute.”

Swale Borough Council and Kent County Council have both been contacted about the incident in Abbot Hill.

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