A company has been found guilty and fined for placing a builders skip on the public highway without proper permission.

On 7 November 2023, Environmental Enforcement Officers from Barking and Dagenham Council identified a builders skip on the public highway on Rainham Road North, Dagenham, that did not have the required authority. 

An investigation revealed that the skip belonged to Ready Skips LTD. It is an offence to deposit a builders skip on the public highway without council permission, as unauthorised skips can cause unnecessary obstructions and must meet certain conditions.

On 8 November 2023, Ready Skips LTD was issued a Fixed Penalty Notice for £100 for the offence. 

This notice offered the company the opportunity to discharge liability by paying the fine, thus avoiding prosecution. However, the company failed to pay the fixed penalty notice despite several reminders, leading to prosecution.

In their absence Ready Skips Ltd were found guilty at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 26 November and ordered to pay:

Fine: £400
Victim Surcharge: £160
Costs to Barking and Dagenham Council: £937.11 
Total: £1,497.11

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We’re committed to ensuring that our public spaces remain safe and accessible. Companies must adhere to regulations to prevent unnecessary obstructions and keep our community clean.”