A local company has been fined nearly £1,000 for failing to get the necessary permission to place builder’s skips on the public highway in Barking and Dagenham and continued to ignore enforcement notices.



During a routine patrol on the 12 August 2020, Essex Services Ltd was issued with a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for placing a builder’s skip on the highway at Woodward Road, Dagenham without permission.



The FPN was offered as a discharge to liability but needed to be paid within 14 days. Essex Services Ltd refused to pay and a notice was sent out to inform them that the council would be taking them to court.



In the meantime, the council’s enforcement team were also made aware by the highways department on 11 February 2021 that the same company had also placed a builder’s skip on Kenneth Road, Chadwell Heath once again without permission. A visit took place a few days later and it was confirmed that the skip was still there – a breach was also recorded for this.



The case went to Barkingside Magistrates Court on the Tuesday 3 May 2022, but the business failed to attend and ultimately were found guilty.



Councillor Syed Ghani Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “All businesses operating in the borough must play by the same rules, you cannot opt out – it’s not fair on those who do things properly.



“This particular business not only broke the rules but also ignored our enforcement officers and is paying the price with an even larger fine as a result.”



At the court case, the judge ordered that Essex Services Ltd must pay £500 in costs to Barking and Dagenham Council, a £200 fine for each offence and a victim surcharge of £40, totaling £940.