Key Points
- Havering Council launched an investigation after a van loaded with building waste was dumped in Como Street car park around November 16.
- Cllr David Taylor took photos on December 1 showing the container still present with rubbish inside, two weeks later.
- The council described the fly-tipping as “appalling” and is making arrangements for swift removal.
- Enforcement teams are investigating the source of the dumped waste and considering prosecution for those responsible.
- The council is reviewing CCTV footage and increasing patrols in the car park area.
- The Como Street Car Park Action Group, consisting of local residents and businesses opposing tower block plans, expressed disappointment over the large-scale fly-tipping.
- This group regularly cleans the site and urges the council for a prompt response while acknowledging the scale of the cleanup required.
What has happened at Como Street car park in Romford?
As reported by Cllr David Taylor through photos shared on social media, a trailer filled with building waste was fly-tipped in the Como Street car park, near the River Rom, around November 16, 2025. This container was still observed to be in the same location two weeks later on December 1, with rubbish remaining inside it. The presence of the waste has raised serious concerns among local councillors and residents, prompting official action from Havering Council.
What actions has Havering Council taken regarding the fly-tipping?
A council spokesperson told the Romford Recorder that enforcement teams are actively investigating the origin of the container and its contents. They emphasised that the council is intent on taking “the strongest action, which includes prosecution,” against those responsible for the illegal dumping. The spokesperson further urged local residents to report any information about the movements of the trailer from around 3.20 pm on Sunday, November 16. Removal arrangements are underway but are complicated by the need to empty the container before it can be taken away. Additionally, council officials are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and plan to increase enforcement patrols to prevent further incidents.
Who are the key local stakeholders responding to this incident?
The Como Street Car Park Action Group, an organisation made up of concerned local residents and business owners opposing redevelopment plans at the site, expressed their dismay at the scale of the fly-tipping. A spokesperson for the group stated that local people take pride in maintaining the cleanliness of the car park and often organise community clean-ups using proper safety equipment and guidance. They called for a swift and effective response from the council, although they recognised the significant effort required to clear the dumped waste.
Why is the probe important for the local community and future plans?
The fly-tipping incident has heightened tensions around the future of the Como Street car park, a site under scrutiny for potential redevelopment, including proposals for a new tower block. The illegal dumping not only poses an environmental and safety issue but also impacts community sentiments regarding the area’s upkeep and development. Havering Council’s strong stance and ongoing investigation signal efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and to maintain the site’s integrity during a period of contested redevelopment planning. Community groups like the Como Street Car Park Action Group play a crucial role in advocating for local interests amid these wider urban development debates
