Mattresses dumped on country lane

The dumping of about 30 "dirty" mattresses has been described as "shocking" and "really awful" by a councillor.

Jennifer Wells said other items including a paint tub, an old suitcase and what looked "somebody's old garden spa" were also found in her Bablake ward in Coventry.

The Reform UK city councillor said that during a drive, mattresses were discovered on Hollyfast Lane, with other objects left on Watery Lane, and she alerted the authority.

The city council pledged to clear them as soon as possible.

Old furniture, a carpet, black bags and what looked like children's toys, as well as building waste, were also among the items Wells said she spotted during a drive on 25 May.

"I couldn't believe my eyes... I pulled over. I've never seen so many disgusting mattresses in one place," she said.

"It's really awful because residents in Bablake take pride in their neighbourhood.

"It's heartbreaking to see people fly-tipping, disrespecting the area.

"It's not fair on people that live there. You want to enjoy the countryside."

In a statement, the council has said it is aware of the fly-tipping and will try to gather any evidence on who the culprits are.

Enforcement officers were in the neighbourhood on Tuesday, it added.

The authority said anyone who "witnesses fly-tipping or wishes to report fly-tipping" could contact the council anonymously and fines may be unlimited.

Council figures released last year showed that fly-tipping around Coventry, like many other areas, had increased, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Offences in the city rose from 5,929 to 6,428 between 2024 and 2025, a report stated, which came after a 13% reduction in reported offences between 2023 and 2024.

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