I write to you after reading your short article (Know who dumped this? Elmbridge Comet, February 6) regarding fly-tipping in Common Lane, Claygate.

Having kept horses at Woodstock Lane livery stables, we have suffered with fly-tipping for a long time down Woodstock Lane, along the Elm Farm track, also down the lane where our yard is.

You are probably aware of the fatality last June, when someone fly-tipped half a bed right on our bridle path.

Luckily, no humans were killed, but a horse was – the rider had to dismount to try and lead the horse past the tipped rubbish.

A driver has been scarred for life as he hit the horse, which had got loose from the rider and galloped up the road into his car. He was not speeding.

We managed to get some permanent bollards put in place along the roadside in Woodstock Lane, where there was a natural layby – and a normal dumping ground for fly-tippers.

This does seem to have deterred them from tipping here.

Elmbridge Councillor Mary Marshall also managed to get an anti-fly-tipping sign put up at Elm Farm driveway, as this is the second most popular dumping ground.

For a while, there was very little rubbish, but, on February 5, a friend took this photograph, below. I should clarify the car belongs to her and is not related to the rubbish.

She contacted the council, who said they would remove it as soon as possible.

You can see from the picture that any horses going along the track would have to almost go into the road to avoid it.

However, most horses would spook quite badly at this pile and I would fear another fatality.

It would be great if you could maybe encourage people to send you their photos of fly-tipping, highlighting that this is not only illegal, but also very dangerous.

I believe the attached has now been removed and I have to praise Elmbridge Council.

CHARLOTTE O’NEILL
Via email