Cowboy waste facilities in Lancashire could face fines or closure as officers from the Environment Agency act to stamp out illegal scrap

yards in the northern county.

The EA has identified 30 sites lacking the appropriate licences through council records, tip offs from the public and even the Yellow Pages.

It plans to target all the unlicensed sites over the next month and remind them they are committing an offence.

Environment officer Lee Collins said: “Scrap vehicles contain many environmental contaminants such as oil, battery acid and antifreeze, which can cause pollution of the ground and have an adverse impact on water if not handled properly.

“As such they are required to be dealt with at licensed end of life sites approved by the Environment Agency. These sites must have a waste management licence, which includes conditions to prevent and control pollution and harm to human health.”

Sam Bond

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