ASBESTOS has been dumped in a “fly-tipping hotspot” behind a popular pub, sparking fury from an outraged councillor.

For the third time this year, waste has been dumped in the road behind the Carpenter’s Arms pub, in London Road, Rawreth.

The flytip is set to be removed, but specialist contractors are needed after it was discovered that the rubbish included broken asbestos panels, as well as timber, bricks and other construction materials.

Residents found the waste on Monday evening and now Rayleigh Town Council chairman and Rochford District councillor Danielle Belton has slammed those responsible and called for them to be prosecuted.

Ms Belton said: “This flagrant breaking of the law will continue because enforcement action isn’t strong enough and fines are not high enough.

“It is constant here. It damages wildlife and we have seen tips that have caused delays for drivers after they have fallen into the road.

“I am calling on Rochford Council to do more, I am getting to the point where I am frustrated and furious and Rayleigh residents are also infuriated by this.

“We should increase the rate of the fine, some people think it is cheaper to get fined than to buy a skip.”

Ms Belton added that the site is a hotspot for flytipping and has been repeatedly targeted this year already.

“It is a flytipping hotspot and I have found three major flytips along that route,” she added.

“I would find more if I was driving that way every day and I had a call from a resident saying that even more waste was dumped at the site on Monday evening.

“Hotspot is an accurate term for it and though the council are quite good at cleaning them away, it isn’t good enough.

“I am frustrated, and I will push them to do more.”

A spokesman for Rochford Council said: “We have been informed of the large flytip in the Carpenters Arms loop, off London Road, Rawreth.

“As we suspect the large fly tip to contain asbestos we have arranged for an external hazardous waste contractor to clear by tomorrow morning.

“We would like to thank the public for making us aware of the fly tip and to remind our householders and businesses that fly tipping is a serious criminal offence for which you can be prosecuted and that it’s their duty to ensure that their waste is disposed of legally.”