Court orders Wooler-based Reddem Ltd to pay £9,600 after unlawfully handling asbestos at The Old Gas Works Yard

A Northumberland demolition company has been hit with a nearly £10,000 penalty after illegally storing asbestos waste, raising serious concerns about public safety and environmental protection.

Reddem Ltd, based in Wooler, admitted to breaching environmental laws when it appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on 13 February.

The Offences and Court Ruling

Reddem Ltd pleaded guilty to two offences: running an illegal waste site and handling asbestos in a way that could harm people or the environment.

The court imposed a £4,000 fine, ordered £4,000 in costs, and added a £1,600 victim surcharge, bringing the total penalty close to £10,000.

The company had been using The Old Gas Works Yard on South Road, Wooler, to store construction and demolition waste containing asbestos.

Much of this material was moved around the site in open containers, in direct violation of strict legal requirements.

Why Asbestos Handling Matters

Asbestos is a highly dangerous material, classified as controlled waste under UK law.

It must always be double-bagged in sealed containers, and skips storing asbestos should remain fully enclosed.

Transferring asbestos between containers or storing it openly puts workers and nearby residents at risk of serious health problems, including lung diseases and cancer.

The court heard that Reddem Ltd operated without an environmental permit, which is legally required for almost all waste-handling activities.

Investigation Triggered by Local Concern

The problem came to light when a local resident alerted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), reporting that asbestos-like waste was being delivered to the site and dumped in large containers.

In June 2023, an HSE inspector visited the yard, spoke with a company director, and confirmed that asbestos cement was being moved around the premises.

The inspector immediately issued a prohibition notice to stop the unsafe activity.

That same day, Environment Agency officers found nine skips that appeared to contain asbestos.

They formally ordered the company to halt operations until a full inspection could be carried out.

Joint Inspections Confirm Hazard

On 30 June 2023, the HSE and Environment Agency conducted a joint inspection, taking samples from six skips.

Laboratory tests later confirmed that all the samples contained asbestos.

Over 40 tonnes of asbestos-containing material were eventually removed from the site and sent to a properly permitted facility for safe disposal.

Gary Wallace, Area Environment Manager, emphasized the dangers: “Asbestos is a serious health hazard, and this company showed complete disregard for its impact on workers and the community.

Environmental permits exist to protect people and the environment, and violations will be met with enforcement.”

Context: Waste Crime Across England

This case follows high-profile enforcement elsewhere in the country.

Just days before, Varun Datta, 36, from London, was ordered to pay over £1.4 million for illegally dumping more than 4,275 tonnes of waste across England, including sites in Middlesbrough.

Such cases highlight the ongoing issue of waste crime and the threat it poses to communities.

Reporting Waste Crime

The Environment Agency urges anyone who suspects illegal waste activity to report it.

Reports can be made anonymously via 0800 807060 or through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.

Vigilant communities play a crucial role in keeping hazardous materials like asbestos safely managed.

What’s Next?

Reddem Ltd will likely be under scrutiny to ensure full compliance with environmental regulations.

Authorities continue to monitor illegal waste activities closely, and companies found handling hazardous materials unsafely can expect swift and significant penalties.

Public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement aim to prevent similar incidents in Northumberland and beyond.

Summary

Reddem Ltd has been fined nearly £10,000 for illegally storing asbestos waste in Wooler, Northumberland, after a local resident’s tip led to inspections by the HSE and Environment Agency.

The company breached multiple laws by handling asbestos in open containers without a permit.

Over 40 tonnes of asbestos were eventually safely removed, and authorities have stressed that violations of waste law, especially involving hazardous materials, will not be tolerated.

The case underscores the importance of community vigilance and strict regulatory enforcement in protecting public health and the environment.