Dumped building sand causes upset

Residents say it can cause ‘huge problems’

A LARGE, unsightly mound of sand, which emerged next to Wembley Court, Cambridge, has aroused increased concern from residents who fear it may become another illegal dumping site.

The mound appeared in January, after the Cambridge Bowling Club used a bulldozer to expand their parking lot, located behind the block of flats.

Wembley Court trustee Barbara Miles and a number of residents met with GO! & Express on Tuesday to point out the problems.

They complained of unsightly weeds, illegal dumping of garden refuse and household waste at the site and a massive increase in rats, which have become a menace at the flats.

UNWELCOME EYESORE:  Wembley   Court  resident Val Sida and  Wembley   Court  Trustee Barbara Miles point to the unsightly mound which has attracted rats and illegal dumpers to the area. The mound was caused by the bulldozer used by Cambridge Bowling Club to create a parking lot Picture: SARAH KINGON
UNWELCOME EYESORE: Wembley Court resident Val Sida and Wembley Court Trustee Barbara Miles point to the unsightly mound which has attracted rats and illegal dumpers to the area. The mound was caused by the bulldozer used by Cambridge Bowling Club to create a parking lot Picture: SARAH KINGON

“Although it is appreciated that the Bowling Club committee are looking after their members and helping promote bowls, it is totally unacceptable that a hill of sand like this can just be pushed up and left, which besides being unsightly, can cause huge untold problems.

“Before long, this could become a second Stoney Drift [where residents from around town have made the unofficial tip site] as the weeds are tall enough for vagrants to live under,” said Miles.

The mound is located between Wembley Court and the Cambridge electrical substation in Tapson Street.

Resident Keith Sida said: “We are scared that the garden refuse and grass cuttings dumped here by the bowling club and other residents will catch alight, especially with the sub-station next door.

“Rats also come through the wall and cause trouble for us at the flats.”

Athlone Trust trustee, Norma Ellis, wrote to ex-ward councillor Dinesh Vallabh in June, explaining the issues with the heap, which is on municipal land.

“It is a concern that in the event of a heavy rain, the electricity station could get flooded due to there now being no natural run-off for the water.

“The resulting consequences could be far-reaching for the entire area, including collapsed walling to the neighbouring properties.”

Upon inspection of the mound, the Cambridge Bowling Club’s vice president, David Els, arrived on the scene and said that he was in the process of getting quotes to remove it.

“I can’t give an exact day on which it will be removed.

“Due to the expenses involved, it has taken us a while to attend to the problem. It is quite an eyesore so we want to remove it for ourselves too,” Els said.

Miles said she had complained to the Bowling Club on a number of occasions but to no avail.

Recently-inducted new Cambridge ward councillor Tessa Botha said she had not been informed of the problem when GO! & Express contacted her, but promised to follow up on it.

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