Waste chiefs in Shropshire have promised they are doing everything they can to crack down on the county’s growing problem of fly-tipping.It follows controversy this week over the state of a quiet country lane near Shifnal which has become an illegal dump.

Workmen yesterday built a giant bonfire to dispose of a pile of old gutters, plastic buckets, imitation wood panelling and other material which had clearly been dumped by builders after doing up a house.

Pensioner John Bridgman said he was delighted something was finally being done to tidy up the approach to Severn Trent’s sewage works at The Hem.

The problem was highlighted on Tuesday when the Shropshire Star carried a picture of a motor boat abandoned alongside the building waste.

Mr Bridgman, who lives nearby, said: “I’m delighted to say that following publicity by the Shropshire Star, both Severn Trent and council workers have acted promptly.

“The boat was removed on Thursday and I understand it will be crushed,” he added.

“Workmen have now sawn up a tree which had blocked the path since last summer’s storms and yesterday they made a big bonfire of the wood and old building materials, with an old lavatory seat, which had been there for many years, taking pride of place on top of the pile,” Mr Bridgman said.

The problems at The Hem are reflected in many other areas in the county, including the lanes around Little Wenlock and The Wrekin.

Nigel Newman, Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman, said: “Fly-tipping is a major concern of residents.

“That’s why we have our promise to remove fly-tips from council land in two days of being reported and work closely with partners such as the Environment Agency, English Partnership, Wrekin Housing Trust and police to clear up and stop fly-tipping.”

He said secret CCTV cameras were used to monitor hot-spots and he urged anyone spotting fly-tippers to call (01952) 384384.

Adrian Poller, of Shropshire Waste Partnership, said tyre-dumping was a major headache at the moment in the Bridgnorth area.

“We are setting up a meeting with the Environment Agency about launching a campaign to tackle this problem,” he said.