WEST Lancashire District Council has successfully prosecuted a wagon company after failing to secure the waste on its vehicles.
Acumen Distribution Limited, whic has a local depot in Simmonswood, was fined £5,600.
Up until July 2007, the wagons had not been netted properly and paper, cans and other recycling waste fell off the wagons, giving rise to large amounts of litter, which prompted numerous complaints.
After a council investigation the company was prosecuted under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which states that waste handlers must take all reasonable measures to prevent the escape of waste in their control.
The company pleaded guilty to three offences and was fined £4,000 and forced to pay the Council's costs of £1,596.70, with a victim surcharge of £15.
Dave Tilleray, executive manager for community services, said: "Yet again the council has successfully taken action to try to ensure the cleanliness of the district. Proving the company were not doing what they should was difficult, but the level of the fine demonstrates how seriously the magistrates took this case. The message this sends out is quite clear
and we will not hesitate to take action again if necessary."