A COMMUNITY stalwart has laughed at suggestions that a pile of rubbish was cleared immediately after it was reported – saying the waste has been there for months. John Godfrey, chairman of Potters Bar Crime Reduction Group, is appalled at the state of a

A COMMUNITY stalwart has laughed at suggestions that a pile of rubbish was cleared immediately after it was reported - saying the waste has been there for months.

John Godfrey, chairman of Potters Bar Crime Reduction Group, is appalled at the state of a disused garage block in Wayside, and is frustrated that it has taken so long for Aldwyck Housing Group, which owns the site, to act.

Mr Godfrey says he reported the fly-tipping to Hertsmere Borough Council's environmental department back in July.

But a spokeswoman for Aldwyck said: "The rubbish that was removed (last week) had not been there for a number of weeks, but had been reported to us that day."

But Mr Godfrey hit back: "That is absolute rubbish, an out and out lie. They've been aware of it for at least two months.

"I brought it up at a crime reduction meeting months ago, and Hertsmere Council environmental health have emailed them a couple of times.

He added: "I think Aldwyck are telling fibs."

The Aldwyck spokeswoman reiterated that the company was aware of ongoing fly-tipping, and insisted that the rubbish that was cleared last week had not been there for months.

"Unfortunately, there is an issue with fly-tipping at this particular garage block," she said. "There have been a number of incidences and each time we have removed the rubbish promptly.