Truck needed to shift old boat

Water company Severn Trent today announced it would have to use a heavy truck or low-loader to remove an old motorboat dumped in a country lane in Shropshire.

The scruffy hulk, stripped of engine and dashboard controls, is marooned on dry land miles away from any waterways.

It sits alongside unsightly piles of building rubbish left by fly-tippers on a no-through lane leading to a sewage works off the main Shifnal to Madeley road.

It was spotted by David Holt, of The Broadway, Shifnal, who regularly walks his dog Barney up the lane near The Hem.

The lane, a popular route with ramblers and horse riders, is increasingly blighted by illegal dumping, much of it building waste left by workmen.

After Mr Holt and the boat were pictured in the Shropshire Star yesterday, Severn Trent established the boat had been dumped illegally and was on the water company's land.

Kate Cox, Severn Trent spokeswoman, said: "The boat is just at the entrance of our sewage works and we are making plans to remove it.

"However, it's quite big and will need a low-loader or large vehicle to take it away.

"We are also checking on the ownership of the rest of the lane to try to work in partnership to tidy it up.

"Not only is the boat unsightly, it's also dangerous for passers-by and people using the entrance to our site. Dumping rubbish in the lane is selfish and irresponsible and obviously unpleasant for local residents."